This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Working For Jesus", 9/20/2015

WORKING FOR JESUS

Acts 5:27-30, 33-42

OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD

V:27. " Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest."

 A.  The Apostles  taught and preached in the name of Jesus.

     1. Many Jews and non Jews were drawn to the Apostles teaching.

     2. Many people  accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 B. One of the drawing cards was the power of instant healing of the Apostles.

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

     2. The Apostles healed all the sick that were brought to them in the name of Jesus.

 C. The Jewish leaders and the Chief Priests were jealous and upset that the name of

      Jesus was drawing crowds to hear the Gospel and to be healed.

     1. They beat the Apostles and put them in prison to be tried for claim against their

          beliefs.

     2. The Angel of the Lord released the Apostles by night and command them to

         continue preaching the Word.

FIGHTING WORDS

V:28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."

A. I remember when my mother would say, didn't I tell you not...., that meant a

     punishment was  to be expected.

   1. The leaders of the Jewish community were upset because their authority was

        questioned.

   2. They were upset because they could no longer control the minds of the new believers.

   3. They were upset because large crowds were drawn to Jesus.

 B. The Jewish leaders were upset because the Apostles made it known that the Jewish

      leaders and Chief Priests crucified an innocent man.

   1. The Jewish leaders were upset because their phony mask of righteousness was being

        exposed.

   2. The Jewish leaders were upset because they were being exposed as crooks.

   3. The Jewish leaders were guilty and they didn't want to admit their guilt.

   4. They were upset because the man they crucified was raised from the dead.

GOD IS THE POWER AND THE AUTHORITY      

V:29. " Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!"

 A. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that give you power to stand boldly on the Truth

      in the face of opposition.

    1. It take faith to trust God with the outcome of your circumstances.

    2. It takes faith to trust God with your life.

B. God is the authority.

   1. There is no higher authority.

   2. God is able to protect you from all the devices of man.

One thing we must remember is that job of the High Priest was not designed by God to be a political position. It was designed to be a spiritual position. It was designed to be an intercessory position between man and God.   If you can recall, Moses and Aaron the High Priest worked together for the righteousness of God and the welfare of the Nation.

They never opposed God.

THE DEVIL AT WORK IN THE MIND

Acts 5:33-42

V:33. " When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death."

 A. There will always be someone, who thinks they are bigger and more powerful

      than God.

    1. A person who makes a decision out of anger is not thinking clearly.

    2. A person who does not learn from his mistakes is a foolish person.

       a. They put Jesus to death assuming His preaching and teaching would die.

       b. The death of Jesus promoted the Gospel of Truth.

       c. A lesson unlearned will be repeated again.

 B. What the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Chief Priest didn't understand was

       that God had more devoted disciples than they had soldiers.

    1. What the enemy does not understand is God can send one angel to destroy

         a whole army.

    2. What the enemy does not understand is that God can get you so confused

         that you will destroy yourself.   

   

A VOICE OF REASON

V:34 " But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.

35 Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. "

A. Inside the enemy camp, God placed a voice of reason that changed the plan of

     the foolish leaders.

   1. It is good to have a historian, who can look at actions taken in the past and their

       outcomes.

   2. Gamaliel was a respected teacher of the law, who knew how God worked in previous

       similar situations.

   3. Some times in the heat of an argument, you need to step back and take a different

       perspective.

 B.  Gamaliel had a cooler head.

     1. When temperaments are agitated, you need a calming voice.

     2. The Holy Spirit is our voice of reason.

     3. The Holy Spirit gives believers the insight to look beyond the present situation

         to see the desired outcome.

     4. Decisions should never be made when the spirit is agitated.

 

EXAMPLES OF FAILURE

V:36-37. "Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. "

A. The voice of reason considers the history of previous events.

    1. You can't do the same thing and expect different results.

    2. It was God who insured that Gamaliel was present when the Jewish leaders was

        making a decision to kill the Apostles.

    3. Whatever God has planned for us, man cannot change.

    4. You never know how or when God will show up to take care of your problem,

         but He will be on time and in control.

    5. It was God who showed up  the previous night and released the Apostles

        from prison.

    6. It was God who showed up and changed the evil plans of the Jewish leaders.

    7. God uses our present situations to show us that He is in control.

    8. God uses our trials and tribulation to glory Himself.

 B. Gamaliel used the Jewish history to calm the minds of the Jewish leaders.

    1. We don't have to be present when God takes control of the enemy.

    2. The Apostles had been put out of the room, when God took control of the

          conversation and the decisions.

        a. God don't need our help to control our enemies.

        b. In fact, our input would get in the way of His plan.

 C. By reason, God used Gamaliel to understand that their plan was useless.

      1. If the Apostles were not acting under the direction of God, they would not be

          successful.

      2. Since God was directing the Apostles, any action by the Jewish council would

          opposed God.

REASON BY THE WORD

V:38-39. " Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

A. In the middle of a rage you will not think clearly.

    1. When you are angry, all you can think of is what you want which is revenge.

    2. When your emotions take charge, you are controlled by the desires of the flesh.

    3. Since all flesh is evil, your actions under the control of the flesh will be evil

B. There were two view points represented in the council.

    1.The ruling Jews considered the situation from the view of power, authority and

        people respect.

       a. The ruling Jews were concerned about the administration of their laws and

           traditions.

       b. The Sadducees , the Pharisees and the chief priests were not concerned about the

           welfare of their own people, but the welfare of their position.

       c. Anyone who opposed their positions or traditions needed to be punished or

           killed.

    2. Gamaliel was a teacher of the Law, therefore considered the situation from the

        commands or operation of the Law.

      a. Gamaliel understood that if the flesh of man was behind the Apostles teaching

          they would soon fade away.

      b. Gamaliel also understood that if God was directing the Apostles, then the ruling

          Jews would be fighting against God and would not win.

      c. Gamaliel advised the ruling Jews to leave the Apostles alone and let the truth

          reveal itself.

      d. When the Word of God cease to be your voice of reason, you will become

           selfish, inconsiderate and evil minded.

DARKNESS IN THE MIST OF THE LIGHT

V:40. " His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go."

A. While Gamaliel, the teacher of the Law considered the Word of God, the rest of the

      ruling council considered their power and authority and wanted revenge.

    1. After hearing the Word, their hearts were unchanged.

    2. The beat the Apostles before they let them go.

    3. They had the opportunity to be influence by the Word of God.

    4. There is no excuse for disobedience when know the truth.

    5. They opposed God with their hearts, minds and souls.

B. The ruling Jews were standing by when the Apostles used the scriptures which

     they were the keepers, to show Jesus as the Messiah.   Acts 3:12-4:4

    1. Instead of studying the scriptures, they used their traditions to oppose the Word

        of God.    Mark 7:13

    2. Instead of being guardians of the Holy Word and the people of God, they became

        enemy of God and the Nation.

    3. Instead of the Word being the authority, they became their own authority.

REJOICING UNDER PERSECUTION

V:41. " The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

A. The Apostle James said counted all joy when you face trials and tribulations.

    1. The trying of your faith produces patience.

    2. We have to expect that being for God the world will be against us.

B. I really believe that God allow us to be troubled by the world to test and to strengthen

     our faith in Him.

   1. The ruling council of Israel was so blinded by their traditions that they could not see

       the truth in the Word.

   2. They were so blinded by their desire to be in control that they could not recognize

       the God who controls everything.

   3. They were so for themselves that couldn't have compassion for their own people.

DETERMINED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

V:42.  " Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. "

A. You cannot let the threats of men discourage you from  proclaiming Jesus as Lord and

     Savior.

    1. The Word is the truth that everyone needs.

    2. People in the dark may not know that the are in the dark.

    3. People in the dark need a road way to the light,

    4. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light.

 B. We are ambassadors for Christ.

    1. If we quit being ambassadors  for Christ, we are good for nothing.

    2. We have to stand on the Word of Truth so others can see the glory of God.

    3. Everyday is another opportunity for us to give God glory.

    4. Everyday is another opportunity to for us to introduce someone to Christ.

STANDUP FOR CHRIST

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

This Week's Sunday School Lesson,"Let The Truth Rest In Your Heart", 9/13/2015

LET THE TRUTH REST IN YOUR HEART

Acts 4:34-5:10

BE GENEROUS

V:34-35. " There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales  and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

A. The early church grew at a rapid rate.

     1. The effectiveness of the Apostle's preaching of the Gospel was evidence by the

          growing numbers.

     2. People who believed in Jesus were from all financial levels.

        a. There were some rich and some poor.

        b. There were families, single men and women and widowers.

        c. There were some who had more than they needed and some who had

             less than they needed to survive.

 B. Members of the growing Church of Jesus Christ had  the spirit of generosity.

     1. They took it upon themselves to provide for their own.

     2. They considered themselves, one big family.

     3. Some sold  land and houses to provide for the needy among them.

     4. Their love for one another was shown in their generosity.

 C. They put their resources in a common pot and allowed the apostles to

      take responsibility for the distribution.

     1. They trusted the leaders of the Church to do the right thing.

 V:36-37. " Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet."

 A. The generosity of some individuals stood out more than others.

    1. Not only did Barnabas have a generous spirit, but he was a devoted missionary for

        Christ.

    2. Barnabas teamed up with the Apostle Paul in the spread of the Gospel to the

        Gentiles.

    3. According to the Easton Bible Dictionary, Paul and Barnabas were companions in

       the  school of Gamaliel.

 B. There are probably  good reasons why the Apostles changed his name from Joseph to

      Barnabas.

      1. As per the meaning of his name, Barnabas encouraged others in the spread of

          the Gospel.

      2. Barnabas used what God blessed him with to serve others.

  

YOU CANNOT LIE TO GOD

Chapter 5

V:1-2. " Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet."

A. Nothing good comes from lies and deceptions.

    1. The wages of sin is death.

    2. For some, death comes sooner than others.

B. There was no command for members of the Church to sell what they had.

    1. The selling of possessions to support the Church was voluntary.

    2. The Church was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    3. Any desire to deceive the leaders of the Church was a sin against the Holy Spirit.

    4. Each believer is given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

C. Ananias and His wife Sapphira sold property, but lied about the amount they received.

    1. The property was theirs to give or to keep.

    2. They were free to give all or a portion of the selling price to the Church.

    3. They gave a portion of the amount they received to the Church but lied that

         it was the total amount received.

D. The Church needs good role models, but is hurt by lies and deceptions.

    1. The Church is empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the truth.

    2. We are not given the Holy Spirit to lie or to deceive others to promote

        the Gospel.

    3. Lies and deceptions are Satanic acts.

SATAN IS THE FATHER OF LIES

V:3. " Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?"

A. Any Act of sin comes from the influence of Satan.

    1. Money is dear to the heart of most people.

    2. To give up money for the unselfish reasons to help others in need is an act

         of love.

 B. Ananias was not totally devoted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    1. He wanted the appearance of Holiness by deception.

    2. We may be able to deceive man, but we can never deceive God.

    3. What is done in the dark, God can bring to the light for all to see.

    4. It was God who revealed Ananias' deception to Peter.

 V:4. " Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

 A. There was no command to sell the property.

     1. There was no command to give the proceeds to God.

     2. Giving to the Church is certainly commendable.

     3. It was the lie about the amount of the gift that made it a curse to Ananias.

     4. It was the evil in Ananias  heart that caused him to lie to God.

 B. Perhaps it was a desire to look good before others that caused him to lie.

    1. One's pride can lead to lies and deceptions.

    2. God hates the proud.

    3. Pride can easily be our down fall.

THE COSEQUENCES OF LIES AND DECEPTION

 V:5. " When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened."

 A. Public knowledge of Ananias sin was so heavy upon him that he died.

     1. God does not tell us whether Ananias had a heart attack or whether He

         struck him dead.

    2. The fact is that his deception caused the anger of God which led to his death.

    3. We can be here today and gone same day.

    4. We must remember that there is no guarantee that we will lives past the next

        moment.

    5. Life and death is always in the hands of God.

B. When the evil that we do influence other believers  to do evil, we can expect

      the vengeances of the Lord.

    1. This was a critical stage in the growth of the Church.

    2. The Church did not need evil role models.

V: 6. " Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him."

A. This is a warning from God that intentional  evil will not be tolerated in the Church

      for any long period of time.

   1. They carried the body out of the congregation.

   2. The dead should not be found in the congregation of the living.

   3. Christ came that we might have life.

B. Dead influences have no place in the Church.

   1. We need to always be truthful to our Lord and Savior.

   2. Jesus came to separate us from the evil in our lives.

This is one of those cases where I don't understand the actions of God.

My ignorance says the punish was harsh. What do you think?

God's ways are not my ways and God's thoughts are not my thoughts.

God can do what He wants to do and it will work out for our good.

C. Notice the effect on the congregation.  There was fear among them.

    1. Perhaps God was serving us notice to be careful how we treat His Word.

    2. I suspect others were careful not to lie to the Apostles

THE EVIL YOU CRAVE CAN AFFECT OTHERS

 V:7-8 "About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."

A. Ananias being the head of the household affected the faith of his wife.

    1. His wife agreed  to the deception and the lie.

    2. It is the  job of the husband to lead his wife into the righteousness of the Lord.

B. As heads of the household, men can lead their families down a path of destruction.

   1. God's first human institution was marriage.

   2. God gave Adam His first command and put him in charge of His creation.

   3. Even though Eve was deceived by Satan first,  God did not curse the first marriage

       until Adam disobeyed His command.

 C. We are all held accountable for our own sins.

    1. Sapphire,   the wife was given a chance to tell the truth about the sales price

        of the land.

    2. It was her decision to claim the lie as the truth.

YOU ARE RESPOSIBLE FOR YOUR SINS

V:9-10. " Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. "

A. Peter holding the key to the kingdom of God,  announced the judgment of the Lord

     against Sapphire.

    1. She was given the chance to confess her sin and to ask for forgiveness.

    2. She chose the lie over the truth.

   

B. Everything in Bible is given as an example for us to live by.

    1. When we reject the truth, we reject God.

    2. When we reject the truth, we chose hell.

LET THE WORD OF TRUTH BE YOUR GUIDE

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

This week's Sunday School Lesson, "Stand Up For Jesus" 9/4/2015

STAND UP AND PRAISE GOD

Acts 4:23-31

Upon the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, the early church had it's start.

When the Apostles began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ there immediately

arose a conflict with the Jewish leaders and the chief priests.

Peter and John at the gate of the temple healed a 40 year old man, lame from birth.

The man in front of many witnesses, who had never walked before, came into the

temple walking, leaping and praising God. Peter and John took no credit, but preached

Jesus.

              TAKE NOTE,  WALKING, LEAPING AND PRAISING GOD

Peter and John preached that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior was crucified at the hands of the Jewish leaders and the Chief Priest. Many Jews believed in Jesus and this upset

the ruling Jewish leaders. They took hold of Peter and John then threaten them not to

mention the name of Jesus.    

YOU CANNOT STOP THE GOSPEL, DON'T TRY

V:23. " On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them."

A. No one can stop the spread of the Gospel, because it is powered by the Holy Spirit.

    1. The ruling Jews used their threats of persecutions to try to prevent the spread of the

        Gospel.

    2. No weapon formed against us can prosper.

B. Peter and John undisturbed by the threats, told the congregation of believers what

    the chief priest and the elders, the enemies to the cross said.

   1.You cannot let nobody discourage you from talking about your Jesus.

   2. I cannot stop taking about Jesus because it like a fire shut up in my bones.

   3. I cannot stop taking about Jesus because He has been too good to me.

   4. I cannot stop taking about Jesus because He is  the light that world needs.

   5. I cannot stop talking about Jesus because He told me to keep on talking.

GIVE GOD THE CREDIT

V:24. " When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them."

 A. When people tell you to quit talking about Jesus, get on your knees and pray.

     1. The devil is busy and the only way to rebuke Him is to stay connected with Jesus.

     2. The ruling Jews had proven that they could kill the body, but they had no power

         over the soul.

     3. We need to fear God and not man.

         a. God can kill the body and the soul.

         b. Man can do no more than what God allows him to do.

 B. To stay strong in the Lord, you need constant prayer.

    1. You need to remind yourself that we serve a God that is the creator of everything.

    2. You need to remind yourself that we only exist to give God glory.

    3. You need to remind yourself  that when you stand for God in the mist of the enemy

         that God stands with you and He gets the glory.

    4. The threats of man are God's opportunity to be glorified.

    5. You need to remind yourself that enduring trials and tribulation increase your faith

         in God.

GOD ALLOWS OPPOSTION TO GLORIFY HIMSELF

V:25. " You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? "

 A. Through out the ages God has given us His Word through His prophets.

     1. Throughout the ages God has shown us His power over creation.

     2. Throughout the ages God has shown the world that no one can stand against Him.

 B. The enemy rage and plot against God and His people continuously.

    1. Satan and His demons influence others to fight against God and His people.

    2. Why do we listen to Satan who has already been defeated?

    3. It is the lust of the flesh that influences  us to believe we can disobey God and win.

ALL AUTHORITY BELONGS TO THE LORD

V:26. " The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One."

A. Anytime we sin, it is against the Lord.

    1. It is the rulers of this world who sometimes think they are above the Lord.

    2. They fail to realize that the position and authority they have was given to them by

        the Lord.

    3. It is pride of man that God hates.

        a. It is our pride that makes us think that we are more than others.

        b. If our objective in life is to gain power and authority over others, we miss the

            point of our purpose set by the almighty God.

    4. God has set the rulers of this world to be just leaders and role models for

        righteousness.

 B. It is easy to forget that the true authority is the Lord.

    1. When our focus is our gain, then the Lord cease to be our ruler.

    2. When the Lord cease to be our authority, then Satan takes His place.

C. We are living in  a time when the law is to separate the Church from the state.

    1. In the beginning, the Church was the state.

        a. God gave us His commands to govern ourselves according to His

            righteousness.

        b. God promised the Israelites success in the promise land if they followed

            his commands,

    2. The reason we are in the miserable state we are in is because we try to operate

         without the Church.

    3. The state operates according to the flesh, and therefore is opposed to the God.

    4. The flesh is an enemy to the anointed one.

THE PLAN TO DENY JESUS BACKFIRED

V:27. " Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed."

 A. The truth should always be told.

    1. The leaders and the chief priests of Israel did not want to hear the truth about what

         they did.

    2. I can imagine the chief priests and ruling Jews being upset when their plan backfired.

        a. They killed Jesus and thought His teaching would die with Him.  Mark 3:6

        b. They killed Jesus and the 12 Apostles immediately began preaching

             Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

        c. The death and resurrection of Jesus propelled the Gospel truth.

        d. The teaching and the miracles of Jesus was powered by the Holy Spirit.

 B. The rulers of Israel could not see Jesus in the Old Testament Scriptures because

       the scriptures were second to their traditions.  Mark 7:13

  1. They used the scriptures to justify their inaccurate and sinful traditions.

      a. God said that we shall have no other gods before Him.

      b. Jesus claim to be the Son of God, opposed their traditions and not

           scripture.

  2. Jesus was born in the flesh with them, but since His teaching attacked their traditions

      they rejected Him.

 3. Since Jesus teaching and miracles drew large crowds who believed in Him,

     they felted that their position and authority was in jeopardy.   Mark 11:18

 4. They couldn't see the truth because they were blinded by their ambitions.

     a. In fact, they couldn't see the truth because God left them blinded by

         their traditions so that the scriptures could be fulfilled.   John 12:40

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER THE FOR GOOD OF BELIEVERS  

V:28. " They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen."

 A. The Chief Priest and the Jewish leaders thought they were destroying Jesus, but

      they were playing the hand the Lord had given them to promote Jesus.  Mark 8:31

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

    2. If they had read and understood the scriptures they would have known that

        God set them up to crucify Jesus so His blood would atone for the sins of

        the entire world.  Isa 53:3-12

 B. If they had read and understood the scriptures, they would have known that Jesus

      was the Messiah (Dan 9:26) and that John the Baptist was His forerunner (Mal 3).

    1. If they had read and understood the scriptures, they would have known that

        what God plans He executes.

    2. If they had read and understood the scriptures, they would have known that they

        were living in the exact time frame of the coming of the long awaited Messiah.    

        Dan 9:24-25.

 C. We need to be sure that we read and understand God's Word.

     1. The Word says in all your getting, get an understanding.

     2. The Word says, study to show yourself approved, so that the man of God

         can rightly divide the Word of truth.

V:29. " Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness."

 A. This is a very necessary prayer for any believer who openly confess Jesus as Lord

      and Savior.

    1. When you stand for righteousness, folk who practice unrighteousness will attack

         you.  

    2. We need the strength of the Lord to boldly stand against the wise of  the devil.

 B. We cannot run this Christian race by ourselves.

    1. The Apostles empowered by the Holy Spirit were able to stand against the

         persecution of their Jewish counterparts.

    2. They boldly professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior

    3. At the same time the Apostles preached the wrongful crucifixion of Jesus by the

        Chief priests and the Jewish leaders.

    4. The Apostles proclaimed Jesus knowing that they would die for their profession.

V:30. " Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

A. The death of Jesus was not the end of miracles but the promotion of miracles

     by the Apostles throughout Jerusalem and the world.

    1. Miracles at the hand of the Apostles was the drawing card that brought large

        crowds to hear the Word of God and to confess their faith in Jesus.

    2. Peter preached and 3000 were saved. He preach again and 5000 were saved.

        Acts 2:40, 4:4

B. God stretched out His hand and drew men to Himself.

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

   2. I Stretch out my hand to thee, no other help I know.     

PRAYER WORKS

V:31. " After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

 A. After they prayed.....

     1. Prayer changes things.

     2. Prayer changes our behavior.

     3. Prayer is our first line of communication with the Father.

     4. Prayer keeps us connected with God.

     5. Prayer keeps us focused on the Lord.

 B. Prayer can shake up the community.

     1. They assembled together and prayed and they were empowered by the

         Holy Spirit.

     2. Prayer draws the power of God into our lives.

     3. Prayer draws the protection of God into our lives.

     4. Prayer draws the direction of God into our lives.

     5. Prayer drives fear out of our lives.

 C. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to stand boldly in the face of

      the enemy and proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior.

     1. It is a Holy Spirit filled life that produces the fruit of the harvest.

     2. The harvest is bringing folk out of the dark into the marvelous light.

     3. It is a Holy Spirit filled life that praises God and glorifies Him in all things.

     4. It is a Holy Spirit life that give God honor in mist of troubling situations.  

DON'T BE SHY, PRAISE GOD

DON'T BE AFRAID, PRAISE GOD

BE BOLD, PRAISE GOD

BE THANKFUL, PRAISE GOD

PRAISE GOD JUST BECAUSE HE IS GOD

Rev M. Mitchell,

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "A Prepared Plan For Life", 8/30/2015

A PREPARED PLAN FOR LIFE

Malachi 3:1-10

THE REDEEMER

V:1. "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the Lord Almighty. "

A. The messenger is John the Baptist.

     1. This is the prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ 400 years before time.

     2. This is the also the prophecy of the assignment of John the Baptist as the

         forerunner of Jesus Christ.

 B. The job of John the Baptist was to preach repentance for the coming of Jesus Christ.

    1. The prophecy of the Messiah was long awaited. (Isa 40:3-5)

    2. Throughout the Bible, God makes known to us His plan of redemption.

        a. He gives us the pieces of His plan throughout the Old Testament.

        b. He gives us the order of His plan.

        c. He gives us the opportunity to participate in His plan.

        d. He makes known to us How His plan will end.

        e. God has revealed to us the success of His plan.

 C. It is the Father who sent the Son to redeem His people through His death on the

      cross.

     1. It is the Father who made a covenant with Abraham concerning His people

         that could only be fulfilled in His Son.  Gen 17:5-7

     2. During the time of Malachi (400 BC), Israel was under the control of the Persian

         empire.

     3. They were looking for a political King to restore control of the Nation to them.

     4. However, the promise Messiah was our Lord and Savior sent to redeem Israel

         from their sins.

THE JUDGE

V:2-3. " But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap."

3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness."

A. When you heat up gold or silver, it turns to a liquid and all the impurities can be

     filtered out.

    1. We were born in sin shaped in iniquity.

    2. It is the blood of Jesus that atones for our sins and Word of God that cleans us

        from all unrighteousness.

B. Verse 1 speaks of the first coming of Jesus Christ.

    1. Verse 2 and 3 speaks of the Age of Grace between the first and second coming of

        Christ.

    2. During  the Age of Grace, the redemptive blood of Jesus is the atonement for our

        sin and makes us acceptable to God.

    3. It is the faith in Jesus and His Word that makes us acceptable to the Father.

C. The only ones who can stand before the judgment of Jesus are those who

      believe in His death and resurrection.  

    1. It is Jesus who said that we are made clean by His Word.  John 15:3

    2. It is faith in the Word that effects our obedience to God's commands.

    3. It is our love for the Father and the Son that causes us to be doers of the Word.

D. God selected the tribe  of Levi as His priestly line of  Israel after the exodus from

     Egypt.

   1. Moses and Aaron were from the tribe of Levi.

   2. At the first coming of Christ, the chief priest were not from the line of Aaron.

   3. The Chief Priest at the first coming of Christ was a political position rather than

         a holy, divine  spiritual office. (Ray C Stedman, Adventure Through The Bible).

  4. The refining process of the Levites will probably not take place until after

      rapture of the Church during the tribulation. Rev 7:14

      a. Two thirds of the nation of Israel will perish and God will take the remaining

           Israelite's to be His people.   Zach 13:8-9

      b. It will be during the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth that Israel will become

          a Nation that worships the Lord Jesus Christ. Rev 20:6

AN ACCEPTABLE OFFERING

V:4.  "And the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. "

 A. When Israel was delivered from the Egypt, God set up His tabernacle among

      them to offer sacrifices for the atonement of sin and to show honor

      and gratefulness to Him.

    1. Gradually over time the offering became just a religious ceremony.

    2. Israel rejected the true and living God and took up the worship of idol gods

        in violation to God's commands.

 B. When Israel worshiped God with their whole heart and were obedient to God's

      commands, they were acceptable to God.

   1. We must be careful  not to let our worship become a formality.

   2. Our worship of the Lord Jesus Christ should be a life changing experience.

   3. We should be able to look in the mirror and see our continual growth in Jesus

       Christ.

   4. Our lives outside the four walls of the Church; at home, in the community and on our

      jobs should be the image that draws others to Christ.

V:5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the Lord Almighty. "

 A. God is not far from us.

     1. He is aware of all our thoughts and actions.

     2. God knows who is for Him and who is against Him.

     3. God knows whether you are committing spiritual adultery, which is the worship of

         anything other than Him or physical adultery.

     4. God knows whether your are mistreating those around your.

     5. He knows whether your are taking advantage of the weak and defenseless.

     6. God knows where you put your trust.

B. God will judge us  according to our actions, good or bad.

     1. Only what we do for Christ will count.

     2. What we do for Christ stores up treasures in heaven.

     3. What we do against God's commands and against our neighbors blocks

         blessings and causes judgment.

AN UNCHANGEABLE GOD   

V:6 "I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."

 A. God does not change.

     1. He is the same today as He was yesterday and will be the same tomorrow.

     2. God's commands for us does not change.

     3. God's standard of judgment is the same for everyone.

 B. The reason God has not executed His judgment against us is because He

     is tolerant and long suffering.

    1. We cannot get away with anything. God has not destroyed us, He is just giving us

        time to repent  and turn to Him.

    2. We should learn from the Nation of Israel who suffered greatly because of their

        disobedience.

V:7. " Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?"

 A. This is God's indictment of the Nation of Israel.

     1. As I wrote these comments there was a storm blowing through the area.

     2. The wind blew up suddenly and the trees outside moved violently back and forth.

     3. There was thunder and lightening all at the same time.

     4. It was God controlling His environment.

 B. I realized that God could protect me through His storm or execute judgment. 

     1. It is only by the grace of God that we are still here.

     2. You never know when God will call us to give an account of our actions and judge

         us on the spot.

     3. At every stage of our lives, God gives us a chance to repent and return to Him.

THE BLESSINGS OF GIVING

V:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings."

A. God said that the love of money is the root of all evil.

    1. If the love of money is in your heart, you will find yourself ignoring the

        righteousness of  God to get it.

    2. The love of money can cause you to overlook the basic principles of hard work

        and dedication.

    3. The love of money can cause you rob another person of his hard earned gain.

    4. The love of money can cause you to rob God.

B. God gave the nation of Israel everything they needed to survive in the promise

     and.

   1. God required Israel to worship Him with the first fruits of their flocks and

       produce, giving Him a tenth of all their increase.

   2. God did not need what they had because it all belong to Him.

   3. Giving from the heart shows our love for the Lord and our obedience to the Lord's

       commands.

   4. When we failed to do what God commands us to do, we rob Him of His glory. 

       a. When we fail to do what God commands us to do, we show a lack of respect

           for the Lord.

       b. When we fail to do what God commands us to do, we show a lack of trust

           in the Lord.

       c. When we fail to do what God commands us to do, we deny God the opportunity

           bless us beyond our expectations.

DON'T CURSE YOURSELF

V:9. "You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me. "

 A. Just because it is popular does not mean you ought to be involved.

    1. The crowd is not always right.

    2. The whole nation of Israel decided not to pay God His required tithes and offerings.

         a. They were all wrong and disobedient to God's commands.

         b. They all faced the consequences of their actions.

         c. They cursed themselves.

 B. Part of the curse was not having a  prophet of God for 400 years.

    1. Can you imagine not having anyone to intercede for you with God.

        a. It was the prophets of God that gave the people a word from God.

        b. It was the prophets of God that informed Israel of God's plans

    2. There was no relief from foreign occupation for 400 years.

    3. At the time of the writing of Malachi. Israel was under the control of the Persian

        government.

    4. 400 years later at the first coming of Christ, Israel was under the Roman

           government.

 C. When you disobey God, you block the answers to your prayers.

     1. In every stage of our lives, trouble will meet us.  Job 14:1

     2. The key to living successful with trouble is to obey God's commands.

     3. We are either going into trouble, going through trouble or coming out of trouble.

     4. God is there at every stage to bless us with peace, contentment and joy.

     5. Some of God's blessings depends on our obedience.

TEST GOD

V:10. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. "

A. God gave the Israelite's a command with a purpose.

    1. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse.

    2. God does not want a partial payment, but a full payment of what is due.

B. The purpose of giving is  so that there is food in God's house.

   1. The Levite priest were not given a share of the promise land.

   2. The tithes and the offering was to take care of the priest.

   3. The tithes was also for the maintenance of the temple.

   4. The primary purpose of the tithes was to honor God.

C. God gave us a promise as a result of our giving.

   1. God dares us to test Him to see if He will keep His promise.

   2. Just try God out. You will not be disappointed.

   3. God can do exceedingly abundantly more than you can conceive as

       a result of your obedience.

  4. Your faithful, cheerful giving promotes God to give you more.

Rev M. Mitchell,   Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Learn From The Mistakes Of Others", 8/23/2015

LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS

Zechariah 7:8-14

This passage of scripture is set in the reconstruction period, after the Israelite's had been released from Babylonian captivity. The temple and the city of Jerusalem was in the  

rebuilding stage. While they were rebuilding their homes, construction on the temple had been put on hold for fifteen years.  Also the Israelite's were complaining why they should  celebrate the feasts started in captivity for the rebuilding of the temple.

In a series of visions, God reassured Zechariah  that the temple would be rebuilt and

worship would be held in the temple again.

GOD SPEAKS, MAN SHOULD LISTEN

V:8.  " And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah."

 A. The more you study the Word, the more God will reveal His plan for your life.

     1. The more we study God's Word, the more questions we will have to understand

         the Word.

     2. We are never capable of understanding God's complete plan for us.

 B. Zachariah's job was  not the lead role in the reconstruction  program.

     1. His job was to crown the Jeshua as Chief priest and King of the reconstruction

         effort.  Zech  6:9-13

     2. Even though Zachariah received constant communication from the Lord,

         his job was an important supporting role.

         a. His job was one of encouragement to the Chief priest and the people

             of Israel.

         b. Starting over can be frustrating and there is always a need for an encouraging

              word.

     3. Sometimes the work God has for us, is in the back ground.

     4. You don't have to be out front to make significant contributions to the body

         of Christ.

GOD SPEAKS, MAN SHOULD ACT ACCORDINGLY

V:9.  "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. "

 A. One of the characteristics we are born with, is selfishness.

     1. We know how to look out for ourselves.

     2. The Israelite's were given the charge to rebuild the Temple when they returned

         to the promise land after 70 years of captivity.

     3. Instead of completing the Temple, they stopped and rebuilt their own homes

         Haggai 1:4.

 B. When what we want takes priority, we have loss focus on God's plan for us.

    1. When our heart is focus first on God commands, all our desires will be met.

    2. God's desire is for our  hearts to be right before Him and toward our brothers in

        Christ.

 C. The fullness of life can only be obtained when we follow God's commands.

    1. The God we serve is a just God.

    2. God does not show favoritism to any individual.

    3. Every person should be treated fairly regardless of whether we like them or not.

 D. It is our job as believers to show kindness and compassion to others.

    1. God has been merciful to us, so we should be the same to others.

    2. We should see the needs of others and act with love.

    3. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

    4. It does not matter what others do to us, it is what we do for others that God sees.

 

DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANYONE

V:10. " Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other."

 A. God pays attention to those who  can easily be taken advantage of by selfish

      and evil thinking individuals.

      1. A widower in question in Biblical times were women who were left alone without

         family to take care of them.

      2. It is easy to  take advantage of someone who can't help themselves and have no

          outside support.

      3. A good neighbor will not take advantage of another person and will show   

          compassion to those in need.

B. Even today, orphans are often abused, sold into slavery and used for personal gained.

    1. The Lord tells us that what we do to the least of these, we do to Him.

    2. We all belong to God and are sons and daughters through Adam and Eve.

    3. When we hurt another person we hurt our family members.

 C. Jesus said the poor will always be with us.

    1. Therefore, the work of the Lord will never be done in our lifetime.

    2 . We will always have opportunities to do good and show evidence of our genuine

          love.

 D. God said, be kind to strangers, because you never know if you are entertaining

     an angel.

   1. Angels are messengers of the Lord.

   2. We can gain by listening to anyone's story.   

   3. Every story is a lesson in the goodness of the Lord or the consequences of rejecting

       the Lord.

E. There is some bad in the best of us and some good in the worst of us.

  1. You never know who God will put in your mist for you to be the role model of light.

  2. Any evil thoughts we have are the results of the influence of the devil.

  3. We were made in God's image and therefore to have good thoughts and to do good

      deeds.

THE WRONG THING TO DO  

V:11. "But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. "

 A. The "they" in this verse are the ancestors of the Israelite's.

     1. They rejected God and refused to follow His commands.

     2. They had the Word, but it fell on stony ground.

 B. The glory of God shone all around them but they refuse to recognize the work of God.

     1. The blessings of God were with them every step of the way, but they refused

         to give God credit.

     2. They chose to serve idols they created with their hands rather than the

         sovereign creator of everything. 

V:12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry."

A. God made us with a soft heart and to be totally dependent on Him.

    1. God brought them (the they) out of slavery in Egypt with a mighty hand.

    2. God established them in the promise land especially prepared for a

        priestly nation.

   3. God gave them His law with the promises of divine blessings if they kept His

        commands.

   4. God gave them (the they) His prophets to continually remind them of His

       righteousness.

 B. They rejected God, His Word and His prophets in favor of the lust of their flesh.

    1. They became the enemy of God and God got angry.

    2. The one thing you don't want to do is stand in the way of an angry God.

    3. We have a choice; to make God happy with us or to make God angry with us.

V:13 "'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the Lord Almighty."

A. What goes around, comes around.

    1. Whatever you do to others will come back to you.

    2. We need God. He will never be in need of us.

B. We need the Word of God.

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

    2. The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.

    3. God is my rock and shield. I will never be a rock that God needs.

    4. I need the foreknowledge of God. God will never need any knowledge from me.

 C. God calls and He expects us to listen.

    1. God calls and He expects us to heed His call.

    2. God calls and He expects us to be obedient to His call.

 D. God called us out His love.

    1. Heeding God's call leads to success.

    2. Heeding God's call leads to joy.

    3. Heeding  God's call leads to peace.

    4. God's call is a call of forgiveness.

    5. God's call is a call to eternal life.

E. To reject God's call is to reject God.

   1. If we don't listen to God, our prayers will go unanswered.

   2. We are totally in the dark if we think we don't need God.

   3. God has a way making us know we can't make it with Him.  

  

THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE

V:14. "I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land was left so desolate behind them that no one could come or go. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.".

A. There are deadly consequences for rejecting God.

   1. The man who rejects God reject eternal life.

   2. God has given us everything we have.

   3. In a moment, God can take everything from us.

 B. God established the Israelite's in the promise land.

    1. God made provisions for them in the promise land.

    2. God provided their protection in the promise land

    3. For a time, God tolerated their disobedience in the promise land.

C. When God got angry, He destroyed their cities and the temple He built in

     the promise land for worship.

   1. When God got angry, He allowed a foreign nation to burn down their

        cities and take them captive into  Babylon.

   2. God kept them captive for 70 years before He allowed them back in the

      promise land.

 D. We ought to learn from the mistakes of our past.

    1. History is a testimony that God keeps His promises.

    2. History is a testimony that God punishes those that He loves.

    3. History is a testimony to the goodness of the Lord.

    4. History is a testimony of the power of God.

    5. History is a testimony that we serve an awesome God.

    6. History is a testimony that life only exists in God.

FOLLOW GOD AND LIVE

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church.

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Make A Decision To Live Or To Die",8/16/2015

MAKE A CHOICE; TO LIVE OR DIE

Ezekiel 18:1-13, 31-32

MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

V:I.  "The word of the Lord came to me."

 A. Any time you open your Bible and start reading, the Word of the Lord is coming to

      you.

    1. The Word of God is a living Word.

    2. The Word speaks to all people in all times.

    3. The Word is always relevant to your situation.

 B. Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word is eternal.

    1. The Word contains directions and inspiration for our lives.

    2. The Word is the only source of truth.

V: 2 "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: "'The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? "

 A. People say a lot of things that are not true.

    1. The general meaning of this proverb was that the sons inherent the sins of the fathers.

    2. In other words, we are in the situation we are in because of what our fathers did.

    3. This was just a way of not taking responsibility of our actions.

 B. Where we start in life may be the result of what our parents did.

    1. Your starting circumstances does not determine  your end.

    2. To many people have started in poor circumstances and ended up being

        rich in every area of their lives.

    3. Everybody is responsible for the outcome of their lives.

V3 "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel."

A. Every issue, whether true of false can be settled by studying the Word of God.

     1. God's commands apply to us individually.

     2. God gave the Nation of Israel His law for worship and obedience to Him.

     3. Individual blessings are conditional on individual obedience,

     4. Proverbs 3:5-6 states: " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your

         own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your

         paths straight."

B. Every person will have to stand before Jesus and give account for his deeds.

     Romans 14:12

    1. Every day we have an opportunity to do good or to do evil.

    2. The decisions we make have consequences; good or bad.

V: 4 "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son — both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die."

 A. God is the creator of all things.

     1. The Word of God says of Jesus; Every thing that was made was made by Him and

         nothing was made with Him.

      2. We are each responsible for living according to God's commands.

B. The Lord, the sovereign creator made every thing and everyone for His

         purpose and according to His divine plan.

    1. God gifted every individual with a mind to know Him and to know right

        from wrong.   Hab 2:14

    2. From the beginning, God made Adam responsible for his environment.

    3. Like Adam, God gives each of us the ability to make decisions, right or wrong.

C. God hold each of us accountable for our decisions.

    1. The text says the soul that sins shall die.

    2. In the New Testament, God says, the wages of sin is death.

    3. The sons are not responsible for the fathers sins and the fathers are not

         responsible for son's sins.

    4. God owns each of us. He has not made any of us responsible for anyone's

        sins.

In theses next few verses, from 5-13 gives us comparison between the good man

the evil man. Verses 5-9 are the actions of those who have life, and verses 10-13

are actions of those who will die.  Those who live do the opposite of those who

die.  We are taking about the consequences of our actions ending in eternal life and eternal death.

THE LIVING

V:5 "Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right."

  A. The first characteristic of a living soul; one who has eternal life is

       righteousness.

     1. He lives and acts according to God's Word.

     2. He delight in the law of the Lord.

B. The righteous man is just.

     1. He seeks to do the right thing.

     2. His heart is set on not mistreating anyone.

C. He is right or lawful.

     1. He follows the divine Laws of God.

     2. He seeks to do what is morally right.

V: 6 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He

        does not defile his neighbor's wife or lie with a woman during her period."

A. The one who has life does not worship idols.

     1. He does not participate in idol worship services.

     2. He does not see the Temple  or anything as an object to be worshiped.

B. The one who has life does not commit adultery.

    1. God hates adultery.  Lev 20:10

    2. God meant for the marriage bed to be undefiled.

    3. In marriage, the husband is to respect the  menstruous cycle of his wife.

        1 Cor 7:4-5

RIGHTEOUS DEALING WITH NEIGHBORS

 V:7. " He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He

         does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for  

          the naked."

 A. The one who has life does not act violently toward anyone.  That is peacefulness.

 B. He returns that which was taken in a pledge.  That is lawful

     1. In Old Testament times, if a man coat was take as a pledge, it was to be

         returned at sun down.  Ex 22:26-27.

 C. The  man who has life does not take what is not his. That is righteousness

     1.The man who has life does no steal.

     2. The man who has life trust the Lord for his needs,

 D. The man who has life feeds and cloths the needy.

     1. The man who has life is compassionate.

     2. The man who has life is unselfish.

 

V:8 "He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest.  He withholds his hand from

  doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man."

  A. The Jews were not permitted to take interest from their fellow Jews. It was allowed

        in moderation with strangers. Ex 22:25.

      1. There are a number of different ways of taking advantage of another person, and

           high interest rates is one of them.

      2. The righteous follows God's Law in all business dealings.

 B. It is the advantage of the righteous to have the power of the Holy Spirit to fight

     the temptation of doing something wrong.

     1. It is power of the Holy Spirit that keeps us mindful to be just in

         all our transactions with others.

     2. We are reminded to do unto others what we want done to us.

 V:9 He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will

        surely live,  declares the Sovereign Lord."

 A. The just live by faith and not by sight.

     1. The just live according to the Word of God.

     2. The just give God credit for all his accomplishments.

THE LIVING DEAD

Verses 10-13 is just the opposite of 5-9

 10 "Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things 11 (though the father has done none of them): "He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor's wife. 12 He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things. 13 He lends at usury and takes excessive interest. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head.

1. This passage is a comparison between the living and the dead

2. This passage is a comparison between light and darkness.

2. This is a passage is a comparison between  righteousness and sinfulness.

3. This is a passage is a comparison between good and evil.

4. This is a passage is a comparison between the desire to please God and the desire

     to please self.

V:31. " Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? "

A. The God we serve is a loving God.

    1. He reminds us of our sins.

    2. He reminds us of what it takes to please Him.

    3. He gives us the opportunity to change.

B. God made provisions for our change.

   1. Christ Jesus is the way to Change.

   2. Any man in Christ is a new creation.

   3. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life.

   4. In order to have a new heart, you have to born in Jesus Christ.

C. God does not want any of His chosen to die.

    1. Jesus said, I came that might have life and have it abundantly.

    2. No one come to the Father but through Jesus Christ.

    3. No man can come to Jesus unless He is drawn by the Father. John 6:44

V:32 " For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent

   and live!"

  A. We have the Word from the Lord, that He loves life and not death

     1. Man is given the ability to choose God or Satan.

     2. Man is given the opportunity to choose life or death.

 B. The prerequisite for life is repentance.

     1. Repentance is bound up in our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

     2. The Israelites had the Word of God.

     3. They had a choice to believe the Word of God or reject the Word of God.

     4. Since the Word is Jesus, they had the choice to believe Jesus or to reject Jesus.

     5. They had the choice to please God or to please themselves.

WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church