Sunday School - August 9, 2009
Fear becomes sin, if one has been a partaker of God’s miraculous blessings and yet, chooses fear above the proven promises of a faithful God. Such provides true evidence of a faith that resides more in ones own ability, than a faith in the abilities of the one and only true God.
Hebrews 6:4-6. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
True faith is never found in the willful task of man, for man has not the determining will that prevail. The ultimate will is given only to the providence of the almighty God, a God who lacks fear and does not allow an opposing counsel to usurp that which is His will. Thus, it becomes evident that all true faith must reside in the one and only true God and true faith is made manifest in our obedience to His will; for faith that follows not with obedience is only a stated faith, a faith we falsely proclaim.
Hebrews 11:6-8. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Fear is neither a product nor function of faith but rather, the lack thereof. When fear is chosen in lieu of faith, such renders the useless fruits of doubt and failure and provides an assurance of hopelessness and despair. This confirms the object of fear, to rid one of hope and trust. Hope and trust are the true treasures in life acquired only through faith, a saving faith that produces obedience, a saving faith found only in the one and only true God.
As Christians, our faith is God’s gift (Ephesians 2:4-9), His one and only Son, the ultimate promised gift of grace, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us not know Him and continue in fear and disobedience toward Him but rather, fear having not the true faith that follows Him.
Matthew 10:28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
This week's lesson is again from the book of Numbers. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (August 9, 2009) comes from Numbers 14:1-12.
Moses recently sent spies to the land of Canaan (Numbers 13) to see the land and to make an assessment of that which God had promised them. However, ten of the twelve reports given to Moses yield more in fear of the inhabitance of the land than to the evidence of the true wealth that confirmed the promises stated by God.
Upon receiving the ill report from the ten faithless spies, the Israelites cried that night and murmured against Moses and Aaron saying, “Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?" (Numbers 14:2-3). One can only wonder how a group could see God’s provisions, protection and blessings in such a miraculous way and yet, loose all faith in His ability to do that which He had promised. This questioned not the ability of God but exposes the lack of faith of those who have been the primary recipients of His miraculous blessings.
The Israelites desired to make a new leader and return to Egypt. This act is consistent with the irrational fruits of fear, to willfully enter again the hopeless state of bondage instead of embracing hope, which accompany faith (Hebrews 11:1). Upon hearing the complaints, Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the congregation in utter frustration. The two spies who offered good reports, Joshua and Caleb, tore their clothes in response to their outrage. Joshua and Caleb confirmed that the land was exceedingly good and that it truly was a land of milk and honey. Unlike the other spies, their faith was strengthened because it resided not in their power and might but in the almighty power of God.
Numbers 14:8-9. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.
2 Timothy 1:7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Although the congregation had no evidence to refute the statements made by Joshua and Caleb, their fears would not allow them to follow the only path of hope. The stronghold of fear persuaded them to desire a path of imminent bondage to Egypt and not the continued journey of faith guided by the proven God of liberty and prosperity. A dominating fear often moves quickly to harden the heart by sealing one’s fate to doom; this became evident as the Israelites move to stone the faithful four. However, God being the God of grace and mercy thwarted their evil will by appearing before them in the tabernacle of the congregation. For even a fear driven man, must yield to the ultimate fear, the holy manifestation of the almighty God.
The Lord spoke to Moses concerning the unbelief and disobedience of the Israelites, given all the signs He had done among them. God also stated His will to smite them with a pestilence, disinherit them, and make to Him a greater nation. However, Moses having grown in the wisdom of God, petition God for grace and mercy; God having an abundance of both, granted Moses his request. Today God continue to offer the same to both the faithful and the faithless through Jesus, God’s greatest gift of grace.
Romans 5:15. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
If you are not a typical Sunday School attendee, Go and surprise the teacher. If your Church does not follow the Standard Sunday School Lesson and you are not aware of the topic of discussion, take on the attitude of "positive anticipation". I am sure you will like it; there is nothing like reading and discussing God's Word.
FYI: Sunday School is not just for Kids, it is also for the Humble (those who wish to be rid of fear and disobedience) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless
Fear becomes sin, if one has been a partaker of God’s miraculous blessings and yet, chooses fear above the proven promises of a faithful God. Such provides true evidence of a faith that resides more in ones own ability, than a faith in the abilities of the one and only true God.
Hebrews 6:4-6. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
True faith is never found in the willful task of man, for man has not the determining will that prevail. The ultimate will is given only to the providence of the almighty God, a God who lacks fear and does not allow an opposing counsel to usurp that which is His will. Thus, it becomes evident that all true faith must reside in the one and only true God and true faith is made manifest in our obedience to His will; for faith that follows not with obedience is only a stated faith, a faith we falsely proclaim.
Hebrews 11:6-8. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Fear is neither a product nor function of faith but rather, the lack thereof. When fear is chosen in lieu of faith, such renders the useless fruits of doubt and failure and provides an assurance of hopelessness and despair. This confirms the object of fear, to rid one of hope and trust. Hope and trust are the true treasures in life acquired only through faith, a saving faith that produces obedience, a saving faith found only in the one and only true God.
As Christians, our faith is God’s gift (Ephesians 2:4-9), His one and only Son, the ultimate promised gift of grace, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us not know Him and continue in fear and disobedience toward Him but rather, fear having not the true faith that follows Him.
Matthew 10:28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
This week's lesson is again from the book of Numbers. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (August 9, 2009) comes from Numbers 14:1-12.
Moses recently sent spies to the land of Canaan (Numbers 13) to see the land and to make an assessment of that which God had promised them. However, ten of the twelve reports given to Moses yield more in fear of the inhabitance of the land than to the evidence of the true wealth that confirmed the promises stated by God.
Upon receiving the ill report from the ten faithless spies, the Israelites cried that night and murmured against Moses and Aaron saying, “Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?" (Numbers 14:2-3). One can only wonder how a group could see God’s provisions, protection and blessings in such a miraculous way and yet, loose all faith in His ability to do that which He had promised. This questioned not the ability of God but exposes the lack of faith of those who have been the primary recipients of His miraculous blessings.
The Israelites desired to make a new leader and return to Egypt. This act is consistent with the irrational fruits of fear, to willfully enter again the hopeless state of bondage instead of embracing hope, which accompany faith (Hebrews 11:1). Upon hearing the complaints, Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the congregation in utter frustration. The two spies who offered good reports, Joshua and Caleb, tore their clothes in response to their outrage. Joshua and Caleb confirmed that the land was exceedingly good and that it truly was a land of milk and honey. Unlike the other spies, their faith was strengthened because it resided not in their power and might but in the almighty power of God.
Numbers 14:8-9. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.
2 Timothy 1:7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Although the congregation had no evidence to refute the statements made by Joshua and Caleb, their fears would not allow them to follow the only path of hope. The stronghold of fear persuaded them to desire a path of imminent bondage to Egypt and not the continued journey of faith guided by the proven God of liberty and prosperity. A dominating fear often moves quickly to harden the heart by sealing one’s fate to doom; this became evident as the Israelites move to stone the faithful four. However, God being the God of grace and mercy thwarted their evil will by appearing before them in the tabernacle of the congregation. For even a fear driven man, must yield to the ultimate fear, the holy manifestation of the almighty God.
The Lord spoke to Moses concerning the unbelief and disobedience of the Israelites, given all the signs He had done among them. God also stated His will to smite them with a pestilence, disinherit them, and make to Him a greater nation. However, Moses having grown in the wisdom of God, petition God for grace and mercy; God having an abundance of both, granted Moses his request. Today God continue to offer the same to both the faithful and the faithless through Jesus, God’s greatest gift of grace.
Romans 5:15. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
If you are not a typical Sunday School attendee, Go and surprise the teacher. If your Church does not follow the Standard Sunday School Lesson and you are not aware of the topic of discussion, take on the attitude of "positive anticipation". I am sure you will like it; there is nothing like reading and discussing God's Word.
FYI: Sunday School is not just for Kids, it is also for the Humble (those who wish to be rid of fear and disobedience) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless