This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Prayer Time, A Powerful Time" 1/21/2018

PRAYER TIME, A POWERFUL TIME

 Daniel 9:4-9, 15-19

Daniel studied the scripture and discovered that God was getting ready to redeem

his nation out of captivity. Daniel found hope in studying God Word. Israel was

punished by God because of their repeated sins.  (Jer 25:11-12)

No matter how bad you have been, you can find hope in the Word. The  Word establishes

God as the sole authority and each of us as His servants. God chastises those He

loves.

V:4 "I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

A. You are in a privilege position to know that you can go to God in prayer.

     1. Prayer is your base line of communication with God.

     2.God does not give everyone the knowledge that they can come to Him in prayer.

     3. To the world, the Word of God is foolishness.

         John 14:17 states: "the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it 

         neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will         

         be in you."

   B. Prayer is a time to confess your sins.

       1. It is a privilege because confession arouses God's forgiveness.

       2. Forgiveness is freeing, because we can let go of the past.

       3. We can forgive ourselves because God forgives us.

       4. We can forgive others, because God forgives us.

   C. Daniel found hope in the Word.

       1. He found peace in the Word.

       2. He found joy in the Word.

       3. He found love in the Word.

       4. He found forgiveness in the Word.

       5. He found God's kindness in the Word.

CONFESSION OF SIN

V:5-6. "We have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.

6 "Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land. "

A. Daniel's prayer was a cooperate prayer.

    1. He prayed for those that were in captivity and those that were left in the home

        land.

     2. Daniel included himself in the sins of the nation.

     3. We can look around us and see the sins of all people.

B. Sometimes God is looking for us to pray for the lost.

     1. Someone prayed for us when we were lost.

     2. If it had not been for the prayers of others we might not have made it.

     3. We have not been good all our lives. We need to include ourselves in the

          confession of the nations sins.

     4. We are a product of our environment.

RECOGNIZING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

V:7-8.  "Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame, as it is this day — to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against You.

8 "Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You."

A, God has not changed,

     1. God is the same today as He was yesterday.

     2. God's standard of righteousness is always the same.

B. It is us that have rejected God's righteousness.

    1. We change the interpretation of God's Word to fit our way of thinking.

    2. We can't always see our sins because we are blinded by our own

         standard of righteousness.

    3. Our standard of righteousness is no righteousness at all.

C. Change in our lives begin when we accept responsibility for our

     situation.

   1. The nation of Israel was in captivity because they disobeyed God's

        commands for hundreds of years.

   2. Their existence in captivity was because of God's mercy.

   3. They deserved death, but mercy saved them.

REFLECTING ON THE GOODNESS OF GOD

V:15.  "And now, O Lord our God, who have brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and have made a name for Yourself, as it is this day — we have sinned, we have been wicked. "

A, It is good to remember how good God has been to us.

    1. We have a track record with God that tough times can't erase.

    2. God's chastisement of us is a record of His love and mercy.

B. The fact that we have a mind to recognize His chastisement

     is a blessing.

   1. If we can see God's chastisement as an act of His love, it gives us

       hope in redemption.

   2. We could let our dire circumstances drive us to despair or drive us

        to prayer.

   3. Prayer is a vehicle of hope and trust.

   4. We can choose prayer or we can choose anger and frustration,   

   5. We can choose God's love or Satan's lies.

CONFIDENCE AND BLODNESS IN PRAYER

V:16.  "O Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all those around us. "

A. When you know God's Word, you can be bold in your prayers.

     1. You are just asking God to do what He said He was going to do.

     2. Daniel read in the Word that God said, He was going to bring

         Israel back to the promise land. (Jer 25:11).

     3. God's plan is not determine by our obedience, but His love.

     4. It is an act of God's love to turn His anger and wrath away from us.

B. God's plan goes beyond us.

     1. God's plan includes all believers,

     2. God blesses us in spite of our sin so other can come to know His love. 

THE POWER OF PRAYER

V:17-18 "So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.

18 "O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion."

A. Our prayers activates God's love for us.

    1. IT is good to remind God of what He said He said He was going to do.

    2. God does not forget anything.

        a. It is the believers that need reminding so our faith can be strengthen

        b. We need to be reminded of God Word so our hope is renewed.

        c. We need to be reminded of God's promises in the deep dark hours of our trouble

            so Satan can't get a foot hold in our minds.

B. God knows our trouble because they are part of His growth plan for us.

   1. There is power in knowing that what God does is for His sake.

   2. It is good to know that we are included in His sake.

   3. Since we are include in His sake, our situation will work out for our

       good.

C. We have to humble ourselves in prayer before God.

    1. We can do nothing to deserve God's blessings.

    2. God  hates the proud, but He has regard for the humble.

D. Notice, we can appeal to the compassion of the Lord for our help.

    1. Daniel is a role model for the proper attitude toward God.

    2. He followed God's commands.

    3. He humble himself before the Lord.

    4. He did not consider himself to be without sin.

    5. He continued in prayer with God.

    6. He prayed according to the Word of God.

    7. He expected God to keep His Word.

    8. He recognized that he had an obligation to pray for his nation.

    9. He recognized the power of prayer.

   10. He recognized the positive results of prayer.

         God hears the prayers of the righteous.  Pr 15:29'

  

 EXPECTING AN ANSWER FROM GOD.

V:19 "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

A. The Lord takes an active part in our prayer life:

     1. He hears our prayers.

     2. He forgives our sins.

     3. He listens to our prayer request.

     4. God acts according to our requests.

B. Everything God does is for His sake.

     1. God has a vested interest in the well being of His Church.

     2. God's Church is the role model for the world.

C. God's Church serves as a monument to His goodness.

     1. God's Church serves as victory over Satan and His demons.

     2. God's Church serves as the way to salvation.

     3. God's Church serves as a model to His righteousness.

     4. God Church serves as an example of His love.

D. We have the authority to pray for what we want.

     1. Jesus said; "What ever you ask the Father in My name will

         be done for you."

     2. Jesus gives us the assurance that our prayers will be answered.

You can expect God to do exceedingly abundantly more than you can

ask or conceive.

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 and goodnewsrevmitc,blogspot.com

SERMON, Taking The Church To The Streets", Mark 5:1-20

TAKING THE CHURCH TO THE STREETS

Mark 5:1-15

When you leave the Church, what does the world see? Do they see you

hurriedly on you way to get home or to some other destination or do they see

a church full of love and compassion?

V:1-3. "They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes.

2 When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him,

3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; "

A. Jesus took the Church to the streets.

     We are not much of a church unless the world knows we have a relationship with

      Jesus.            

 1. When you get into the street, you will meet someone who needs your help

v.4. " because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. "

    1.Devilish person is powerful.

    2. You cannot keep the devil out of your community

    3. No amount of security systems or burglar bars will keep the devil out.

V:5. " Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. "

A. The community had given up on the man.

     He was just a trouble maker

     He was an out cast to the community.

V:6 . "Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him;

A. There is some good in the worst of Us.

     1. There is some bad in the beat of us.

     2. The world knows the church when it see it.

     3. Do people see you as cold and uncaring?

     4. Or do they see compassion and love.

B. Notice that there was a community around the man.

    1. There was no prayer meeting going on.

    2. No one was trying to get the man off the street.

    3. The community was trying to bind the man to the street.

V.7-8. "and shouting with a loud voice, he said, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!"

8 For He had been saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

A. We don't have power over the Devil. but the Jesus we serve has power.

    1. The devil has to get permission from Jesus to enter into a person.

    2. The key is to have relationship with Jesus so Devil cant get close to you.

V:9-10 . "And He was asking him, "What is your name?" And he said to Him, "My name is Legion; for we are many."

10 And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country."

A. When you meet up with a devilish person you may be dealing with many devils.

    1. The person is messed up because he is hearing many evil voices.

    2. But can be controlled by the power of God.

V:11-13. " Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain.

12 The demons implored Him, saying, "Send us into the swine so that we may enter them."

13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. "

Why do you think Jesus gave the devil permission to go into the pigs?

They were unclean animals. Jews were to have no dealing with pigs

While the Jews didn't eat pork, they took the liberty to buy and sale.

Sometime God has to remove from our lives what is not good for us.

V:14-15. " Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened.

15 They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the "legion"; and they became frightened. "

Notice the attitude of the community. They were no concerned about the well

being of their neighbor. They were concerned about the lost of their pigs.

The key to the Lesson

Mark 5:18-20

As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.

 And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you."

Go tell someone about the good ness of the Lord.

Let summarize the text.

1. When you come out of Church, you should come out with a mission.

    a. The great commission , take the Gospel to the end of the earth

2. See your environment as the place where you can help.

    a. You will run across someone who will need a Word from the

         Lord from You.

3. See the good in other people even if no good is oblivious.

    Remember, there is some good in the worst of us and some bad in

    the best of us.

4. See others as children of God.

    Don't just see a criminal, a homeless person, a drug dealer.

    See a person lost is a sea of sin who needs help

5. See yourself as the responsible party.

    God has bless us with a relationship with Jesus.

    That relationship comes with responsibility. Mark 5:18-20

YOUR TESTIMONY IS IMPORTANT

The reason for your troubles is so you can have a testimony.

The city was without an active church

The needed to see the power of Jesus over demons

They needed a constant reminder of what Jesus could do in their lives.

This previously demon possessed man was the Church the community

would see in Jesus Christ.

    

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Living By Faith", 1/14/2018

LIVING BY FAITH

Daniel 3:19-28

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual

20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.

22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."

25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,

27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

WALKING WITH CHRIST

A walk with Christ is a walk through faith with God getting the glory of

our lives.

100 years before the Babylonian captivity, because of their sins,

God spoke a word to Isaiah about His glory through their captivity,

Isaiah 43:7  Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made."

Isaiah 43:12. "It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And I am God."

Prior to Daniel's captivity at 16 years old, he was taught by his parents to follow

God's commands. His walk of faith in Babylonian captivity honored God and

gave Him glory.

BUILDING A BLOCK OF FAITH

The illustration below is an attempt to show how Daniel built a block of faith as he

honored God with his obedience.

DANIEL'S BLOCK OF FAITH   (EVENTS THROUGH CHAPTER 3)

AGE          EVENTS                          DECISION                       RESULT

              -------------------------------

 40         l   Fiery furnace               l        Not to worship idols     kings decree to worship

              l                                        l        and bow to the             Daniel's God

              l                                        l         king's statue

              l                                        l   

              l    Daniel's interpretation l         Prayer to God              Saved the lives of

              l    of kings dream             l        With his friends            king's advisors

              l                                         l

19          l   Babylonian Education  l       Not to defile               10 times smarter    

              l    completion                   l       himself by eating        than kings advisors

              l                                         l       king's food

              l                                         l

16          l   Family training to         l       Not to defile                Influenced his three

              l  worship God                  l       Himself                        friends  not to defile

              l                                         l                                            themselves

              l                                         l

              ---------------------------------

Faith in God does not eliminate trials in your life, but guarantees them to build

you faith.

God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to burst with pride so that he would build a

gold statue of himself for all to worship. I believe God set up this situation up so

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the three high public figures would refuse

to worship the kings statue so He would be glorified  (Isa 43:7).

BOLDNESS THROUGH FAITH

Look at what Shadrach, Meshach and Abennego told the king;

1. The God we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace;  Represented

    their knowledge of God.

2. Our God will deliver us from your hand; Represented their trust in God.

3. We will not serve your gods; Represented their commitment to their God.

4. We will not worship bow down to your golden image; Represented their

     obedience to their God.

To Daniel and his three friends death by the king's hand was not an issue to consider. The issue to them was eternal life with God.

OUR TROUBLES GIVES GOD GLORY

As we mature as Christians, we must come to realize that we will face

trouble in our lives which are not the end of anything. God allows our

troubles so that we may glorify Him with our faith.

The King heated up the furnace 10 times hotter than normal. Even the

kings men who took Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego bound to the furnace

died.

JESUS IS WITH US IN OUR HARDSHIPS

God placed His Son in the fire to protect His servants. When the King

looked in the furnace, He saw four men walk in the mist of the fire.

I can only image in middle of their trouble, the three men of faith

was singing, praying and praising God. Jesus said where two or more

are gathered in may name, I am in the mist.   

The King called Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego out of the fire.

It was as if they had not been in the furnace because there was not even

a smell of the fire on them.

OUR FAITH BRINGS KNOWLEDGE OF GOD TO UNBELIEVERS

As a result the king made a decree that no one should talk against the

God of all god. The King call the Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's

God the most high God.

A pagan nation who worshiped idol gods was introduced to the one

true living God. They became eye witnesses to the power of God.

This was because of the trouble Daniel and his friend faced serving

the one true living God.

GOD GETS GLORY WHEN WE ENDURE TRIALS

Verse 3:28 is the story of a pagan king's enlightenment:

"Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. "

God was glorified through the trial of the fiery furnace.

We must learn to thank God for our days, whether we see them as good or bad.

All things work to the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to

His purposes.

The events of our lives is not all about us.  It is about building the body of Christ.

God in His infinite wisdom, allows us to experience trials , so that

others can be drawn to Jesus through our faith.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons follow me on facebook and my blogs

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Called To Serve", 12/31/2017

CALLED TO SERVE

Ephesians 4:1-15

POSITION OF THE CALL

V:1. "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."

A. All believers have been call to serve the Lord

   1. Paul considered himself a prisoner.

   2. A prisoner is under the authority of another person.

   3. A prisoner takes his direction from another person.

B. Paul set the example for us to follow.

   1. We should see Jesus as the total authority of our lives

   2. We have His Word, which is the direction for our lives.

C. We are encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of the call.

   1. The Church is the example for the world to follow.

   2. We may be the only church the world sees.

   3. We were called to be the world's example of Jesus.

ATTITUDE OF THE CALL

V:2 "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, "

1. The attitude of a servant is to be covered in unselfish love.

2. the evidence of love toward our brothers and sisters are:

    a. Humility is taking a low view of ones importance.

    b. Gentleness is mild, calm and kind.

        also described as meekness which is power under control

    c  Patience is enduring without complaints.

    d. Tolerance is accepting others as they are.

UNITY OF THE CALL

V:3-6. " being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

A. A house divided cannot stand.

    1. The church, the body of Christ has to maintain unity in all areas.  

    2. One way of Satan dividing the Church is through different interpretations

        of scriptures.

    3. Some religions see God the Father, but not God the Son or God the Holy Spirit.

    4. Some religions see Jesus as a son created by the Father

B. The Apostle Paul said , I determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him

     crucified.

    1. As long as we argue about different interpretations, we will be confused

       and divided.

    2. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to teach us the correct interpretation

        of scripture.

    3. As the body of  Christ, we must have the same goals and aspirations

        in serving the Lord.

   4. We should treat every believer with mutual respect, realizing that we

        all have equal calling.

EQUIPPING OF THE CALL

V:7-10. " But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

8 Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."

9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) "

A. To all God called, He gave His favor, that is His grace.

     1. The grace He gave was measured out according to  the gift that He gave.

     2. It requires more grace to preach in the street than it does inside the Church.

     3. It requires more grace to pray for a life changing wayward child than

         to pray for the healing of a broken bone.

     4. It requires more grace to be the pastor of a church, than to be the deacon

         of the Church.

B. Christ, the only begotten Son of God took off His robe of glory to become man

     so that we might see His glory.

   1. At His death, Christ went into the tomb and His shed blood atoned for the

       sins of all who died in faith before Him

   2. Faith in Christ death and resurrection opens the door to heaven for all who                     

        were captive  by sin.

   3. According Matthew 27:52, on the day of Christ death, dead saints got up

       out of their graves and walked the streets of Jerusalem.  

POSITION IN THE CHURCH

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

A. Pastors and teachers are the main core group for educating the congregation

     in the Church.

   1. The pastor has the job of leading the church under the divine guidance of

        the Holy Spirit.

   2. The teachers under the vision of the pastor teach the Word of God to

        give the congregation a clear understanding of God's word.

B. I believe the job of apostles, prophets and evangelist are combined into

     one group taking the Word of God to ends of the earth. ( Matt 28:18)

  1. There were only twelve apostles which where the twelve original disciples of

      Jesus. After Judas committed suicide, he was replace by Matthias. The Apostle

      Paul was added under the direction of Jesus. The Apostles were the eye witnesses

      to the teaching and miracles of Jesus.  

C. The Apostle Paul was both an Apostle and an evangelist.

    1. Barnabas traveled with Paul, but he was not called an apostle.

    2. Mark traveled with Paul, but he was not called an apostle.

    3. There were other who worked with Paul in the ministry that were

         not called Apostles.

D. If we look at how God selected and used prophets in the Old Testament, we

     will find that they were selected by God and filled with the Holy Spirit.

       a. The prophets were given revelations of things and events to come.

       b. According to Revelation 22:18-19, the Bible is closed. You cannot add anything

           to it or take anything away from it.

       c. The position of a prophet as previous used is no longer necessary.

C. It is my belief  that we only have three main teaching groups, Pastors,

        teachers and evangelist.

    1. The young Church needed all these positions initially. But as it has matured, some

        these positions have been done away with. (See 1 Cor 13:11).

OBJECTIVE OF THE CALL

V:13-14. " until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;"

A. These two verses confirm in my mind 1 Cor 13:11.

   1. The growth of the Church is based on sound Biblical teaching.

   2. 2 Timothy 2:15 states, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that

       needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

B. Faith come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

    1. Today we have no excuse for a lack of knowledge of the Word of God.

    2. Our libraries are full with Bibles and commentaries on the Word of God.

    3. Most importantly, every believer has the Holy Spirit as the teacher of the

        Word.

    4. If we submit ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will all came to the

        same interpretation of the Word.

C. Satan does a job on the church teachers and pastors by introducing strange                   

     doctrine that don't  agree with the Holy Scriptures.  

    1. If you don't know the scripture, you wouldn't know if the doctrine is the truth.

    2. Remember sin started in the Garden of Eden, because Eve failed to study the

        Word for herself.

MISSION OF THE CALL

V:15-16. " but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. "

A. The job of a believer is to continue to grow to be more like Christ. It is a life long

     process.

   1. We come to Christ with a lot of hang ups and baggage that we have to let loose.

   2. We have traditions and misinterpretation of scripture that have to be corrected.

   3. We have been taught that love is tied to our feelings.

   4. Love is giving regardless of our feeling. Love is what we are willing

       to sacrifice for the good of others.

B. Christ who sacrificed His life for us is the supreme role model for love.

   1. Every believer has been given spiritual gifts to be used in building up

       the body of Christ.

   2. Those who use their gifts are active in the service of God.

   3. Those who do not use their gifts are weak links in the body.

        a. Failure to use your gifts is an act of selfishness,

        b. Failure to use your gifts is disrespectful to the head, Jesus Christ.

THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR LOVE

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

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

goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot,com and revmmitchell.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Worship Of Jesus:, 12/24/2017

THE WORSHIP OF JESUS

Matthew 2:1-12

A REMINDER OF CHRISTMAS

V:1-2. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.

2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

A. You should never take the Word of God lightly.

     1. The Jews who had been given the Word of God and made responsible

         for teaching the Word paid little attention to the Word.

     2. Two years earlier (according to verse 16) shepherds had been informed

         that a king of the Jews were born by angels.

     3. The shepherds immediately went to the place where the baby Jesus was

          born.

     4. The shepherds made it known to the city that Jesus , the long awaited Messiah               

          was born (Luke   2:17).

     5. The Jews who knew the scripture, did not make effort to see the baby Jesus.

     6. They had the testimony of Anna and Simeon in temple when Jesus was

          dedicated at eight days of age.

     7. The ruling Jews had no interest in this life changing information.

B. Gentiles ( the Magi)  from another nation took note of the star that marked

     His birth and perhaps confirmed its significant with the Word of God.

     1. The Magi were astronomers and religious men

     2. By their calculations the star they saw in the sky pointed to Bethlehem.

THE BIRTH CONFIRMED BY SCRIPTURE

V:3-5. " When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

A. For those who study the Word, God has a way of reminding us of the Word.

    1. God has a way of making us research the Word.

    2. Two years after the Jews heard the news of Jesus birth, God used strangers from

         foreign country to remind them.

B. 1. When Magi came looking for the new born king of the Jews, King Herod

         got upset.

    2. Herod forced the leading Jews to research the scriptures to confirm

        the Magi's conclusion.  

    3. By searching the scripture leading Jews determine that the king would be

        born in Bethlehem.  (Micah 5:2, Nu 24:17)

    4. By searching the scripture they determined the time of His birth to

       near the time the Magi saw the star.  (Daniel 9:24).

JESUS THE SUPER STAR

V:7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. "

A. Having searched the scriptures, and knowing the truth about the Messiah,

     the experts on the Old Testament, the Jews, were still unaffected by the                              

     knowledge of their new king.

     1. Herod was upset about the new king.

         a. Herod made plans to get rid of any opposition to him.

         b. To make sure his plan was not broadcast, he met with the Magi

              in secret.

     2. The Magi were excited to hear about the new King.

         a. Upon first sight of the star, they made plans to visit the king. 

         b. They traveled a long distant to get to Bethlehem.

 B. The birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of a promise to the Jews.

      1.The Jewish leaders saw the baby as no threat to them and nothing to

         be concerned about.

      2. Because the religious leaders showed no excitement about the Christ,

          the community, showed no interest.  

SEARCHING FOR JESUS

V:8. " He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

A. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

     1. To appear as if he wanted to worship, Herod ask the Magi to

         come back and tell the location of the child once they found Him.

     2. It would be strange for current king to worship his successor.

B. Without the Word of God guiding your life, your environment becomes

     your norm.

   1. The Roman government was corrupt., therefore the Jewish government

       of religious affairs was corrupt.

   2. The life of a man was only worth what you could gain from it.

        a. John the Baptist was beheaded for dance of a young girl.

        b. The life of a Jewish citizen was only worth what the Jewish

             leaders could gain from it.

        c. Jesus, a Jewish King was a threat to the Jewish leaders corrupt

            authority.

C. Herod intended to kill Jesus, a baby of two years or less to protect

     his position.

    1. His position of king was not in jeopardy.

    2. Jesus did not come to be a physical king but He came to

        to the spiritual king of all believers.

THE LORDS GUIDANCE

V:9-10. " After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. "

A. Notice, God did not light up the guiding star until after the Magi had left Herod.

    1. God used the Magi to announce to Herod that a king was born and  to

         remind the Jewish leaders of the prophecy of Jesus birth.

    2. The Magi was never lost because they had the spirit of God guiding them.

        a. God does not tell us what full story of our life is.

        b. If we trust Him, He will guide us in the right direction.

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

B. The Magi's first stop was Jerusalem.

    1. They knew this because of the position of star when they first  

         saw it's appearance.

    2. Their next stop was Bethlehem because the guiding star reappeared

         in the sky.

    3. When God is directing our path, we are never walking in the dark.

C. When God gives us evidence of His presence in our lives, we ought

      to rejoice.

    1. God is always presence in the life of a believer.

    2. Sometime God has to remind us when we are looking to the

        wrong people for directions.

    3. Herod and the Jewish experts had no idea where to find Jesus.

    4. But God who is omniscience, knew the exact location of the child.

WORSHIP FROM THE HEART WITH GIFTS

V:11-12. " On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. "

A. One of the things we need to do is correct our normal nativity scene.

    1. The Magi or the wise men never saw Jesus in the manager at His birth.

    2. The Magi saw Jesus as a child, one to two years old.

    3. The Magi saw Jesus in a house, not a manager for animals.

B. The Magi did come to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the king of the Jews.

    1. The Magi came bearing gifts.

    2. We really don't know how many Magi were traveling together.

    3. What we know is they brought three types of gifts.

    4. The three types of gifts may be symbolic of the characteristics of Jesus.

        a. The gold may represent his kingship.

        b. The incense may represent the mercy seat, the atonement of our sins.

        c. The myrrh may represent His death.

C. What God has for us, no one can take.

    1. Herod intended to kill Jesus once the Magi told him the location.

    2. But God directed the Magi not to go back to Herod, but to go in a

        different direction.

    3. No one can stop you from getting to Jesus.

    4. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him/her.

    5. On our journey through this life, we must be in constant

        communication with the Father.

    6. God has places for us to go that He does not always tell us

        beforehand.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook or

visit my blogs, revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Trusting God In Trouble Times", 12/17/2017

TRUSTING GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

Acts 14:8-11, 19-23

FAITH IN JESUS IS THE KEY TO BLESSINGS         

V:8 . "In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.

9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed "

A. God chooses the time and places for miracles so that His power and glory can be

     shown.

    1. The man was lame from birth and the whole community could attest to that fact.

    2. He had heard Paul speak about Jesus and perhaps had witness miracles

        performed by Paul in the name of Jesus.

    3. He became a believer in Jesus Christ.

B. Paul's faith in Jesus was so strong that he knew that what he ask on behalf

    of another believer would be done.

  1. Paul had the spirit of discernment.

  2. He determined by looking at the lame man that he had become a believer and that

      his faith was strong.

  3. Paul determined that when he spoke in the name of Jesus that the lame man

      would respond in obedience.

C. We must anticipate that whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name will be done

     for us.

   1. Like the lame man we must live in faith that good things happen to those

       who believe that Jesus will act in their favor.

   2. Faith come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

   3. Paul determined the lame man had become convicted by the Word of God.

OBEDIENCE IS FAITH IN OPERATION

V:10. " and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. "

A. Learning to walk is a process.

    1. The muscles, spinal cord, nerve system, blood vessels, legs

        ankles and feet are just a few of the elements of the body that

        have to work together for a person to walk.

    2. A baby learn to walk in a year to year and a half.

    3. The lame man immediately jump to his feet and began to walk.

    4. It was according to his faith that the power of God worked to

        enable the man to walk.

    5. We lose blessing when we doubt the power of God in our lives.

    6. We have not because we ask not.

B. Our faith may determine the greatness of the Lord shown through

     us.

    1. Our lack of faith may delay our recovery.

    2. Our lack of faith may cause our prayers not to be answered.

WHO DO YOU CREDIT FOR YOUR RECOVERY?

V:11. " When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian    

     language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!"

A. The crowd witness a miracle but attributed to their idol gods.

    1. Depending on their frame of mind, people can see and hear the same thing

        and interpret it differently.

    2. Paul gave the power and authority to the one true living God.

        a. The lame man heard the Word and accepted it as the Word of God.

        b. The community heard the same Word but was left in their lost condition.

B. The lame man saw Paul as an apostle of the true and living God.

    1. The community  saw Paul as a human form of their idol god.

    2. The key question is how do you see Jesus?

    3. Do you believe Jesus can do a miracle in your life?

    4. Do you see the miracles of every day living and attribute them to "mother nature"?

    5. Or, do you see God in His creation all around you?

REJECT CHRIST AND BE SUBJECT TO THE DEVIL'S INFLUENCE

V:19. " Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. "

A. The Gospel was preached, but it fell on stony ground.

    1. They say the miracle of previously lame man walking and was glad for a

         short period of time.

    2. Evil men from out side of the city easily persuaded them that Paul and Barnabas

        were evil.

       a. They witness a miracle, but couldn't see good, but only saw evil.

       b. The men of the city saw the healing of one of their own as a punishment

            against them.

B. A person without God in their life is capable of all evil.

    1. They took Paul who preached the Word of God outside the city

         and stoned him, leaving him for dead.

    2. Paul preached eternal life and they tried to take his life.

    3. Paul preached the good life and they saw evil.

GOD SPECIALIZES IN YOUR RECOVERY

V:20. " But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. "

A. Evil exist all around us, but God's good will prevail.

    1. In the same city where Paul was stoned, the church and new believers

        stood by silently as if they had no power.

    2. The church had access to all power but didn't know how to use it.

    3. Even the lame man who had been healed didn't stand in defense of Paul.

B. Barnabas, Paul's companion, didn't stand in defense of Paul.

    1. After Paul was left for dead, the church came out of the city

        to see what happen.

    2. The church witness the miracle of life in Paul's resuscitation.

    3. God allows bad things to happen to good people so that He can be

       glorified.

    4. These events added to the testimony of the power of God of those who

        came to faith.

         a. The church witnessed a lame man being healed.

         b. The church witness Paul being stoned and left for dead and

              him being restored to perfect health.

USE YOUR TESTIMONY TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

V:21. " They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. "

A. The evil that God allows to happen to members of the Church will work to the

     good of the Church.

   1. The healing of the lame man didn't convert all the members of the church.

   2. It was seeing Paul preached the Gospel after being stoned that convicted

       large numbers that Paul's God was the true and living God.

B. Paul used his testimony  to encourage the Church to remain faithful.

   1. Paul used his near death experience to preach the power of God

       and the good news about Jesus.

   2. Paul's experience, demonstrated to the Church that they are under the

       protection of the almighty God.  

C. Paul and Barnabas went back to same places where evil men threaten

     their lives, to show the Church that evil has no power over God.

     1. Being a child of God does not preclude you from hardships

         brought on by evil men.

     2. The devil is busy trying to destroy the Church and Christian homes.

     3. We may have to endure hardships while God fights our battles.

     4. We want know that God is fighting our battles until we see triumph

          over hardships.

     5. God takes us to trouble, through trouble and out of trouble.

     6. God said, I will never leave you or forsake you..

D. Paul gave the reason for our troubles; to  enter into the kingdom of God.

    1. Whoever tries to save his life will lose it. Whoever  loses his life

        for Jesus sake will save his life.

    2. Jesus said they did it to the green tree, what will they do to the dry tree.

    3. Jesus said they hated me, so they will hate you who believe.

    4. Strength in our faith come through trials and tribulations.

USE YOUR TESTIMONY TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

V:23. " Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust."

A. Paul did not reprimand the Church for not standing up for him when he was

     ran out of the cities and when he was stoned and left for dead.

   1. Instead, Paul encouraged the Church to trust God.

   2. Paul encourage the Church to keep their focus on the Lord.

   3. Paul was a good example for the Church in trusting God in times of trouble

       and life threatening situations.

B. The key to trusting God is a strong and active prayer life.

   1. Paul established the structure of the Church.

   2. He initiated prayer and worship in the Church.

   3. In times of trouble we need that talk with God.

   4. It is through prayer that we learn to call on God and expected His

       protection and provision.

   5. It is through prayer that we express our gratitude to God

       for His goodness.

   6. It is through prayer that we learn that our cries  never fall on deaf

       ears.  

THANK GOD FOR CHOOSING US AS HIS SERVANTS

Rev M Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas   77041

For more lessons, visit me on face book and my blogs,

revmmitchell,com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Holy Spirit Drives The Mission", 12/10/2017

THE HOLY SPIRIT DRIVES THE MISSION

Acts 13:1-12

CALLED TO SERVE

V:13. " In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

A. The Work of the Holy Spirit drives Church Missions.

    1. The Holy Spirit initiates the mission    Matt 28:18-19

    2. The Holy Spirit selects people for the mission

    3. The Holy Spirit selects places for the mission.

    4. The Holy Spirit ordains those selected for the mission.

    5. The Holy Spirit works through the Church.

B. The Holy Spirit uses those who worship the Lord in prayer

     and the   study the Word of God.

   1. The Holy Spirit prepares people for the mission.

   2. Saul had spent 17 years getting prepared for the mission.

   3. Barnabas was one of the first to accept Saul into the Church

       after His conversion.

   4. It was Barnabas who went to Tarsus and got Saul and brought him

       to Antioch.

C. Notice the Holy Spirit works according to the Word.

   1. Jesus sent His disciple out two by two.

   2. The Holy Spirit selected two for the mission.

   3. The Holy Spirit equipped Saul and Barnabas with power to

        perform the mission .   

MISSION SUPPORTED BY THE CHURCH

V:3-4. " So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus."

A. Notice it is the Church that supports the mission.

    1. They prayed with Saul and Barnabas.

    2. They fasted with Saul and Barnabas.

    3. They anointed Saul and Barnabas for the mission,

    4. The Church sent Saul and Barnabas on the mission.

B. They Fasted and prayed.

    1. Fasted to consecrate them and get them prepared for the

        sacrifices they would make.

    2. The prayed to get them in tuned with the God Head.

    3. The fasted and prayed to discern the direction of the mission.

C. Mission work requires you to move out of your comfort zone and move

     into unfamiliar territory. 

    1, God often send His disciple across open waters to get to

        selected locations.

    2.  It is God who protects the missionaries on their journey.

TRAVELING TO UNFAMILIAR PLACES

V:5-6. " When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, "

A. God sends His disciples to places where there is fertile ground.

    1. The Church is a transition from the Law to Grace.

    2. The Jewish synagogues were establish under the Law as a place

        of worship after the Babylonian captivity.

    3. A good starting place for the mission was in the synagogues

        where the Law was being taught.

    4. The job of the missionaries was to update the participants to

         the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

B. As the mission grows, God adds helpers.

    1. God know how many are needed in the mission at any given time.

YOUR MISSION WILL BE OPPOSED BY THE DEVIL

C. Where ever you go, you will find the devil at work.

    1. There are prophets and false prophets,

    2. False prophets oppose the Word of God.

    3. False prophets make their living and gain their fame

        by masquerading as men of God.

    4. The devil disguises himself as an angel of light.

    5. The  devil was present in the name of Bar-Jesus.

         a. He was a sorcerer meaning he used the art of magic to

             deceive people.

         b. He was a false prophet meaning he knew how to pervert the

             Word of God.

         c. He was a false prophet meaning he some knowledge of the word.

         d. The devil uses the perverted word to oppose the truth.

         e. The devil has many devices he uses to keep you in the dark.

   6. Saul and Barnabas travel the length of the Island.

        a. God may send you to many place befo you get to His prime

            target.

        b. Perhaps our confidence in the ministry is gained through small

            successes.

  

GOD OPENS DOORS FOR THE MISSION

V:7-8 "Who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. "

A. Bar-Jesus was an Israelite.

    1. Sergius Paulus was the ruling Roman officer of the Island.

    2. Bar Jesus a Jew, had gained influence with the top officer of

        the Island with his trickery and false teaching.

   3. For the Roman proconsul to hear the truth would be the demise

       of Bar-Jesus.

B. It is obvious that Gospel of Jesus Christ was being spread  through

    out the Island.

   1. Sergius Paulus had heard about the teaching of Saul and Barnabas.

   2. The Word has a way of drawing people to Jesus.

   3. The Word has a way of convicting people.

   4. The aim of the devil is to prevent the conviction.

   5. It is our encounter with the devil that test our conviction to God's mission.

   6. The devil is no match for the conviction of a Godly servant.  

STAND AGAINST THE DEVIL

V:9-10. 'Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,

"You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? "

A. This may be coincidental, Saul being filled with the Holy Spirit began using his

      name of Paul.

    1. When serving the Lord, the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to stand against

         the devil.

    2. There are time when you have to confront a person and let him/her know that

         their interference with work of God will not be tolerated.   

    3. Some people may not be aware that their evil is transparent.

    4. Selfish people work to benefit themselves and not the good of others.

B. Perhaps the turning point in a devilish person life is to be confronted with

    truth about themselves and the harm they are doing to the Gospel of

    Jesus.

   1. The name Bar-Jesus means son of Jesus.

   2. Paul could identify with Bar-Jesus because he had been destructive to the

       ministry of Jesus Christ.

   3. Paul's zeal for destroying the ministry was turned into a zeal for promoting

       the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

   4. Perhaps Paul saw his past in Bar-Jesus.

                                                                                            

HAVING COMPASSION IN JUDGEMENT

V.11. " Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. "

A. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul announced judgment on Bar-Jesus.

    1. Bar-Jesus was blinded for a season just as Paul was blinded when he encountered

        Jesus at his conversion. 

    2. Paul saw his past proud and lifted up in Bar-Jesus.

    3. I believe Paul showed compassion for Bar-Jesus setting him up for a

        future conversion to the Gospel of Jesus.

B. When serving the Lord we must learn to be tolerant of others misbehavior.

   1. We have to be firm when correcting others, but allow room from their

        recovery.

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

   3. Our reproof should be out of love but with respect to doing things in

        descent and in order.

C. Bar-Jesus dealt in spiritual darkness, therefore his punishment was physical darkness.

   1. Like Paul, God had to take away his physical sight so Bar-Jesus could gain

       spiritual sight.

 GOD'S AMAZING GRACE

V:12. " When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. "

A. God will insure the success of His mission.

    1. When we are obedient to God's commands, He will step in and

        subdue the opposition to His Word.

    2. The proconsul wanted to hear the Word, so God silenced the Bar-Jesus the

        opposition.

    3. The Word of God will not return void.

    4. Our proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ will result in conversion of

        God intended hearers.

   

B. Each believer is on a mission for God. Acts 13:1-12

   1. Here is a typical example of the Gospel being rejected by some

       and accepted by others.

   2. Throughout the New Testament you will find the Jewish nation rejecting

        the Gospel and Gentiles accepting the Gospel.

   3. Bar-Jesus, a Jew rejected the Gospel,

   4. People hear the same word, but interpret it differently based on their

        background ,training and traditions.

   5. The Roman proconsul, a Gentile accepted the Gospel.

       a. He heard the Word preached by  Paul.

       b. He witness the power and glory of God through the

           blindness of Bar-Jesus.

       c. He believed the Word and was converted.

       b. He came to know God's amazing grace.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

Houston, Texas &7041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and visit my

blogs, revmmitchell,com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com