May30-Jun5: Discipleship

Followers and Leaders

1. Read Exodus 18:13–27.What principles of leadership can be found in these verses?

• Ex. 18:20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
• Ex. 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

ANSWER:

• Leader is someone who can show and teach how to walk and how to work.
• Leadership role should be given to those with abilities.
• Leader should be someone who fears God, loves the truth, and hates covetousness.

2. How did Jesus describe His disciples in Matt. 12:49

• Matt. 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

ANSWER:

• Part of His family; mother and brethren.

3. Who are His brother and mother?

• Matt. 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

ANSWER:

• Those that do the will of God

CONCLUSION:

• Good leaders are good followers. Good teachers are good learners. A true disciple does follow the will of God.

Marks of Discipleship

1. What did Jesus say regarding the condition to be His disciple? Read Luke 14:26, 27

• Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

ANSWER:

• Willing to bear the cross of sacrifice.

2. What could be the deeper meaning of “bear” your “cross”? Read Matt. 16:24

• Matt. 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

ANSWER:

• Deny yourself

3. How often should we take up the cross?

• Matt. 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
• Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

ANSWER:

• Daily denying self

4. Compare Matt. 11:28-30 with above texts and make observations.

• Matt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
• Matt. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
• Matt. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

OBSERVATIONS:

• In order to follow Christ we need to take up the cross or take up His yoke. Therefore the yoke is the cross.
• “Learn of Me”, this means we are His disciples. Therefore Jesus is inviting us to be His disciples in Matt. 11:28-30
• We need to learn the lesson of self-denial as His disciples. However in Matt. 11:28-30 we learn the lesson of meekness and lowliness which are basically same as denying self.
• Notice the promise of “rest” and His “yoke is easy” and His “burden is light”
• There is a “work” to do as a disciple but it is not hard and not heavy. Therefore there is much rest if we put on the yoke of Christ or take up the cross.

CONCLUSION:

• The main marks of discipleship are self-denial, sacrifice, meekness, humility, and rest.

Sacrifice and Suffering

1. What example in the life of Jesus should the disciples of Christ follow according to 1 Pet. 2:21-23?

• 1Pet. 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
• 1Pet. 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth

ANSWER:

• A life of suffering that leads to no sin and no guile.

2. What could we learn from the suffering of Jesus? Read 1 Pet. 4:1, 2

• 1Pet. 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin 1Pet. 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

ANSWER:

• No longer live in the flesh according to the flesh and lusts of men but to live according to the will of God. Willing to allow your fleshly lust to suffer want.

3. What could God do for us when we endure the suffering in the flesh? Read 1 Pet. 5:10

• 1Pet. 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

ANSWER:

• Make us perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle in the truth as it is in Jesus.

The Rewards of Discipleship

1. What could we look forward to when we endure suffering in this world?

• Rom. 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

ANSWER:

• The glory which shall be revealed in us

2. Read and observe 2 Cor. 3:18.

• 2Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

OBSERVATION:

• We are changed into the same image of Jesus from glory to glory if we behold His glory.

3. What does it mean when it says, “from glory to glory”? Observe 2 Cor. 4:6, 7 and 2 Cor. 4:14, 17.

• 2Cor. 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
• 2Cor. 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2Cor. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

ANSWER:

• From character to character. The growing process for all disciples of Christ.

OBSREVATION:

• “From glory” which is the first glory “to glory” which is the second glory.
• The first glory is the glory of Jesus which is the character of Christ in our “earthen vessels”
• The second glory is the eternal glory, which is the glorified body that Jesus will give to us at the Second Coming.

NOTICE:

• Notice the suffering aspect in between the first glory and the second glory.
• 2Cor. 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2Cor. 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2Cor. 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

CONCLUSION:

• Christ invites His people to enter into the school of Christ, to be His disciple
• The requirement to enter into His school is to wear the yoke of Jesus, which is willing to take up the cross of self-surrender and to follow Jesus.
• The disciples of Christ learn to reflect the character of Jesus (the first glory).
• In order to deepen the character of Christ is His disciples, God takes them through the school of suffering.
• For their graduation from earthly school, Jesus gives them eternal glory (the second glory) which is immortal body.
• And then we enter into the school in heaven.

The Lordship of Jesus Christ

1.What is the key element that reveals how genuine we are in calling Jesus “Lord”? Matt 7:21, 22, 23; Luke 6:46.

• Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven Matt. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Matt. 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

ANSWER:

• Doing the will of God
  

2. How to know the will of God?

• Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

ANSWER:

• Present your bodies as a living sacrifice
• Do not conformed to this world
• Be transformed in your mind

3. What is the will of God?

• 1Th. 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication
• 1Th. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• 1Pet. 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men
• Psa. 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• How do the above verses apply to disciples or followers of Jesus?

4. Observe the following text.

• Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother

OBSERVATION:

• True disciples of Jesus are a part of the family of Jesus!

May23-29: Heaven

When Do We Get to Heaven?

1. When do the dead saints resurrect from their sleep? Read Job 14:12

• Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

ANSWER:

• Till the heavens be no more

2. When will be the time when heavens are passed away? Read 2 Pet. 3:10

• 2Pet. 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

ANSWER:

• In the day of the Lord at the second coming of Christ.

3. What would happen to those who died in Jesus at the Second Coming of Christ?

• 1Th. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

• 1Th. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

ANSWER:

• Shall rise first. (There are two resurrections according to John 5:29. The resurrection of life is the first resurrection and the resurrection of damnation is the second resurrection)

• And caught up together with the living saints, to meet Jesus in the air.

CONCLUSION:

• We may have the hope of heaven today by faith. However the heaven becomes reality at the Second Coming of Christ.

Heaven or Hell?

1. How many groups will there be at the Second Coming of Christ? Read Matt. 25:31-46

• Matt. 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats Matt. 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

ANSWER:

• Two, sheep and the goats

2. What would happen to the sheep?

• Matt. 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

ANSWER:

• They shall inherit the kingdom of God

3. What would happen to the goats?

• Matt. 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

ANSWER:

• They shall be cast into everlasting fire

• The everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels not for humans. But they choose to die with evil angels.

• The kingdom of God was prepared for all humanity. But it is our choice to enter into heaven or hell.

4. What was the major difference between the sheep and the goats?

• Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

• Matt. 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

ANSWER:

• True love revealed to those who are in need. The spirit of hospitality manifested to those who are suffering.

The Kingdom-Now and Then

1. According to John the Baptist, what was coming near during his time?

• Matt. 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Matt. 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

ANSWER:

• Kingdom of heaven is at hand

2. Did Jesus preach the same message after John the Baptist went to the prison?

• Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

ANSWER:

• Yes

3. Since the kingdom of God was near during the time of Jesus and John the Baptist, when did the kingdom of God actually come?

• Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

OBSERVATION:

• Notice… “Now is come…the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ” And the accuser is cast down.

• So the kingdom of God and the power of Christ came and the accuser was cast down at the same time.

• So the question is when was the accuser cast down or cast out of heaven for good? Read John 12:31, 32, 33

• John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

• See the connection between “the prince of the world be cast out” and “if I be lifted up from the earth”

• We can conclude that the prince of this world or Satan was cast out of heaven for good. Although in the beginning Satan was cast out of heaven and cast out into the earth, in the book of Job, Satan was able to go back before God and bring accusations against His people but Satan is not able to go back to heaven to accuse God’s people anymore when Jesus died on the cross

• Since the accuser is cast down or cast out of heaven when Jesus died on the cross, we can also conclude that the kingdom of God has come when Jesus died on the cross.

• In a sense this world belongs to the prince of darkness because Adam and Eve sinned (John 8:34; 1 John 3:8). Satan was claming this world to be his and he is described as the prince of this world or the prince of the air (Matt. 4:8, 9; Eph. 2:2; Job 1:7). But Jesus came to this world to reclaim this world to God by His death. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross, the blood can wash away sin and those who are washed by the blood of Jesus can be a part of the kingdom of God (Rev. 7:14, 15)

• In this sense the kingdom of God was near in the days of John the Baptist and during the time of Jesus’ ministry because the death of Jesus was near.

• Notice what Jesus said after the resurrection. Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Now compare this with “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ” Rev. 12:10. When Jesus died on the cross, the power of salvation was confirmed. The power of salvation was promised and guaranteed before the foundation of the world. However the power of salvation was sealed when Jesus died on the cross. In this sense, the power of Christ has come when Jesus died on the cross. Jesus said, “all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”.

• When Jesus went back to heaven Jesus sat on the throne of grace (Heb. 4:14-16) Therefore we are now under the kingdom of grace until Jesus comes back sitting on the throne of glory, (Matt. 25:31, Luke 21:31) the kingdom of glory.

• Now is the Kingdom of Grace and then will be the Kingdom of Glory.

• The Kingdom of Grace will end when Jesus receives the kingdom (when all His true believers receives complete washing which is blotting of sins) during the time of the investigative judgment (Dan. 7:13).

4. Who can enter into the kingdom of God?

• John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

ANSWER:

• Those who are born of water and of the spirit

Beyond Our Wildest Expectation

1. What has Jesus prepared for us in heaven?

• John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

ANSWER:

• Many mansions

2. Imagine these heavenly mansions. Could these heavenly mansions be much better than what we can imagine?

• 1Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

ANSWER:

• Yes!

3. What else God has prepared for us in heaven?

• Eph. 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus

ANSWER:

• To sit together with Jesus in heavenly places

NOTICE:

• This promise was repeated to the Laodicean church. Rev. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

4. What can help us to sit together with Jesus in the heavenly places?

• Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

ANSWER:

• By His grace we can be quickened together with Christ

5. What can quicken us into new life? Read John 6:63

• John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

ANSWER:

• The Spirit of God. This is what it means to be born of the Spirit.

6. What else can the Spirit of God do for us beside the born again experience? Read Rom. 8:11

• Rom. 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

ANSWER:

• The same Spirit of God can give us immortality.

CONCLUSION:

• The greatest thing about heaven is sitting together with Christ. It is the grace of God that makes it possible for sinners. We can have a born again experience, which is forgiveness of sin and receiving a new mind, by the Spirit of God. And by the same Spirit we can receive a new body at the Second Coming of Christ. And then we shall sit together with Christ with new mind and body in the heavenly place. However we can sit together with Christ today by faith as we hope for the kingdom of glory. Heaven is a great place not only because there shall be no more tears, no more pain, no more death, no more curses, no more sickness and no more sin. Heaven is great because no more separation between God and man. We shall sit together with the Lamb of God.

Meeting the Lord of Heaven

1. What assurance do we have that we will meet the Lord of lords? 1Thess. 4:16, 17

• 1Th. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

ANSWER:

• Those who are dead in Christ and those who are alive and remain.

2. Observe the following texts on “in Christ”.

• Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

• Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

• Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

OBSERVATION:

• In Christ there is redemption, no condemnation, and free from the law of sin and death.

• Therefore if you are dead in Christ, then you died with a solid hope of redemption, justification, and free from the second death.

3. What remains according to Heb. 12:27?

• Heb. 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

ANSWER:

• Those things which cannot be shaken

4. What do we receive at the end when we cannot be shaken? Read. Heb. 12:28

• Heb. 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear

NOTE:

• Unshakeable Kingdom of God

5. What can help us so that we cannot be shaken? Read Luke 6:47-48

• Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

ANSWER:

• Those who are founded upon the Rock of Jesus. Those who trust and obey the words of Jesus.

6. What would be our first step to be founded upon the Rock?

• Matt. 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

ANSWER:

• Fall on the rock and be broken.

7. What does it mean to be broken?

• Psa. 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

• Is. 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

ANSWER:

• To have contrite heart or to be poor in spirit

8. What promise does Jesus give to those who are poor in spirit?

• Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

ANSWER:

• The Kingdom of heaven

9. What would happen to us if we do not fall upon the stone and be broken in God’s love?

• Matt. 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

ANSWER: The stone shall upon us because we refuse to accept His love and grace. Why? The natural result of sin is death and destruction.

OBSERVATION:

• Dan. 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Dan. 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

CONCLUSION:

• At the Second Coming, the stone, which is the kingdom of God, will destroy the kingdoms of this world. The kingdom of God is coming. You do have a choice and a privilege to be part of the kingdom of heaven. Seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness. If we remain in the righteousness of Christ then nothing will and can shake us. We shall remain in His love and truth until the end. And then we shall meet the Lord of heaven in the air and enjoy the everlasting life!! Heaven is worth waiting for!

May16-22: Rest

God’s Gift for Busy People

1. Why did God Himself rest on the seventh day after the creation of the world? Gen. 2:2, 3.

• Gen. 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

• Gen. 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

OBSERVATION:

• God does not need to rest from exhaustion because He does not get tired. Is. 40:28 … the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? However the Bible said, “He rested.” So what kind of rest was this? Sabbath means to repose, to cease, to celebrate and to rest. Notice one of the meaning is to celebrate. Is it possible to think that God’s rest was not from exhaustion but to celebrate the work of God’s creation? The first Sabbath was the first full day for Adam and Eve. Adam was pretty busy on the day that he was created, mainly naming the animals and receiving a wife. So what were Adam and Eve doing when they entered into God’s rest on that first Sabbath day? Do you think they were resting from exhaustion? I do not think so. I believe they were also celebrating the creation and the Creator. So when God rested (celebrated) on the seventh day from all His work, Adam and Eve were getting to know more of God’s creation and the fact that God is the Creator and Author of all things. They were not working that day but to learn and to know the Maker of all things. This is the true rest for both physically and spiritually. God wants what ever happened on that first Sabbath to be repeated every seventh day so that we will remember the Creator.

ANSWER:

• Because God wanted to give us a day to remember Him as the Creator and God every seventh day for forever.

2. What did God do to the seventh day according to Gen. 2:3?

• Gen. 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

ANSWER:

• Blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.

3. What is the truth about when God bless something according to Num. 23:20 ?

• Num. 23:20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

ANSWER:

• No man can “reverse” it.
  
  

Holy Time

1. What does the Bible say about how we should keep the Sabbath?

• Ex. 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

ANSWER:

• To keep it holy

OBSERVATION:

• Holy - 6942. qadash, kaw-dash´; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):—appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), x wholly.

2. Who made the Sabbath holy?

• Gen. 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

ANSWER:

• God

OBSERVATION:

• Sanctified -6942. qadash

3. How could we keep the Sabbath day holy?

OBSERVATION:

• Notice how God made the Sabbath day holy; God rested from all His work. Therefore when we keep the Sabbath day holy, we must rest from all our works.

ANSWER:

• Heb. 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

4. What else should we not do besides not working on the Sabbath day according to Isa. 58:13?

• Is. 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words

ANSWER:

• Not doing our own pleasure

• Not doing our own ways

• Not speaking our own words

5. What shall we do on the Sabbath day?

• Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

• Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

ANSWER:

• To do good and to save life. To do something good for others .
  
  

Experiencing the Joy of the Sabbath

1. Read Deuteronomy 5:12–15 carefully and compare it with Exodus 20:8–11.What do they add to each other?

• Ex. 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

• Deut. 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

ANSWER:

• Ex. 20:11 – Creation

• Deut. 5:15 – Redemption

  • Ex. 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments

2. Observe the following texts on “stretched out arm”

OBSERVATION:

• God revealed His mercy through “stretched out arm” Psa. 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: Psa. 136:12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

• Nothing too hard for God through “stretched out arm” Jer. 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.

• We should fear God and worship Him because He delivered us with “stretched out arm” 2Kings 17:36 But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.

CONCLUSION:

• You can have the true rest in your heart, body, mind, and soul if you worship the Creator and the Redeemer. And also, the true rest comes from the knowledge that God is merciful and nothing is too hard for God to do.

Exit from the Burden and Enter Into His Rest

1. What reason did Moses give to Pharaoh regarding why he should let Israel go? Read Ex. 5:1.

• Ex. 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

ANSWER:

• To hold a feast

2. What kind of feast? Observe the possible answer by examining Pharaoh’s response.

• Ex. 5:5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

ANSWER:

• “Rest from their burdens”

• Rest means 7673. shabath, shaw-bath´; a primitive root; to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific):—(cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away.

• Is it possible that “rest” was not just taking a break but to keep the Sabbath day?

SOP:

• Tidings of them and of the interest they were exciting among the people had already reached the king. His anger was kindled. "Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let [hinder] the people from their works?" he said. "Get you unto your burdens." Already the kingdom had suffered loss by the interference of these strangers. At thought of this he added, "Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens." {PP 257.5}

• In their bondage the Israelites had to some extent lost the knowledge of God's law, and they had departed from its precepts. The Sabbath had been generally disregarded, and the exactions of their taskmasters made its observance apparently impossible. But Moses had shown his people that obedience to God was the first condition of deliverance; and the efforts made to restore the observance of the Sabbath had come to the notice of their oppressors. {PP 258.1}

3. What was the first lesson for the Israelites after the crossing the Red Sea?

• Ex. 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

ANSWER:

• Sabbath

OBSERVATION:

• In the Bible, Ex. 16:23 is the first time the word “Sabbath” is recorded.

4. What was God trying to teach to the Israelites through Sabbath keeping?

• Heb. 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? Heb. 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? Heb. 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

ANSWER:

• Enter into His rest

5. Why many Israelites were not able to enter into God’s rest?

ANSWER:

• Because they sinned. What sin? Believe not and unbelief.

• Rom. 14:23 … whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

CONCLUSION:

• God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He removed their burden of sin so they could keep the Sabbath. Why Sabbath?

• God taught them the lesson of faith every 7^th day by not sending any manna on that day.

• Faith was the condition for them to enter into the land of Canaan and enter into God’s rest.

• True rest comes from the experience of total trust and believing in God’s love and His word.

The Sign of Rest

1. According to Jesus how could we experience true spiritual rest?

• Matt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matt. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

ANSWER:

• Put on the yoke of Jesus and learn from Jesus’ example, His meekness and humility.

2. What experience is connected to putting on the yoke?

• Lam. 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

• Lam. 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

• Lam. 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

• Lam. 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

• Lam. 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

• Lam. 3:27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

ANSWER:

• Hope in God’s mercy and His faithfulness

• Quietly wait and seek after the salvation of God

• Is. 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

CONCLUSION:

• Yoke is connected to rest experience.

• True spiritual rest will manifest itself in meekness, humility, hope, patience, and confidence.

3. Who shall be able to stand when the four winds are let loose?

• Rev. 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

• Rev. 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

• Rev. 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

• Rev. 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

ANSWER:

• Those who have the seal of the living God in their foreheads.

NOTE:

• The living God is the Creator Act. 14:15

• Therefore the seal or the sign of the Creator is the Sabbath Eze. 20:12, 20

• Sabbath means rest.

• Therefore only those who have the true rest (in addition to keeping the seventh-day Sabbath) in their foreheads or in their soul shall be able to stand during the last days.

May9-15: Grace

God Provides Salvation (Grace)

1. What is the definition of grace in Hebrew language?

ANSWER:

• 2580. khane; from 2603; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty):—favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-)favoured.

• 2603. chanan, khaw-nan´; a primitive root (compare 2583); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):—beseech, x fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, x very.

• I like this definition – “stoop in kindness to an inferior”

2. Who gives grace?

• Psa. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

ANSWER:

• Lord God

3. How did God reveal His grace to us?

• John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

• John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

ANSWER:

• God revealed His grace to us when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among humanity. The human nature of Christ is connected to the revelation of God’s grace.

OBSERVATION:

• Human nature of Christ was already foretold through the sanctuary message. Ex. 25:8 Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them

• The primary reason for the incarnation of Christ was His death on the cross. Therefore His death reveals God’s grace. See Heb. Heb. 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

CONCLUSION:

• God’s grace for us was when Jesus “stoop (became human) in kindness (and to die on the cross) to an inferior (for the sinners)”

The Miracle of Grace (According to the book of Ephesians)

1. What is the glory of His grace? Read Eph. 1:6

• Eph. 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

ANSWER:

• To be accepted in the Beloved

OBSERVATION:

• The praise of His grace is when God accepts a sinner as a beloved son through the Beloved.

• See Eph. 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will

2. What are the riches of His grace? Read Eph. 1:7

• Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace

ANSWER:

• Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

OBSERVATION:

• Redemption means to pay the ransom in full in order to deliver. The grace of God is so rich because it can pay the ransom for sinner in full payment.

• Why God’s grace is so rich? Because the blood of Jesus is priceless.

CONCLUSION:

• God’s grace is so rich because it can pay the price for our sins.

• God’s grace is to be praised because not only God deliver us from the penalty of sin but much more He accepts us as His beloved! This is the miracle of God’s grace!

EXTRA NOTE:

• We were sinners - Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

• By His grace we sit together with Christ - Eph. 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

• This is the exceeding riches of His grace - Eph. 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

• By His grace we are saved - Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

What Happened at Calvary? (Grace according to the book of Romans)

1. What was offered to us by His grace according to Rom. 3:24?

• Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

ANSWER:

• The gift of justification

2. Who made the gift of justification possible to be offered to sinners? And how did He do it? Read Rom. 3:25

• Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

• Rom. 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God

ANSWER:

• Jesus Christ made the gift of justification possible.

• Because Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for us.

OBSERVATION:

• Rom. 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

• Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

• Everyone deserves condemnation of death. But through the death of Jesus at Calvary, the gift of justification can be offered to everyone. We do not deserve His death nor did we ask Him to die for us but He did it for us anyhow. This is the grace of God, unmerited favor!

3. In what way we should not misuse God’s grace according to Rom. 6?

• Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Rom. 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

• Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom. 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom. 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

ANSWER:

• We should not think that we can continue to sin because God’s grace is greater than our sin.

• We should not think that we can continue to sin because we are not under the condemnation of the law.

• Under grace means sin does not have dominion over us.

A Change of Heart (The Power of Grace)

1. What happens to us when the spirit of grace is poured?

• Zech. 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

ANSWER:

• True repentance and sorrow for sin, a change of heart.

2. What could the grace of God do for us according to Titus 2:11?

• Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

ANSWER:

• The grace of God can teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

3. In the epistle of Peter, what were the apostle’s last words to the believers?

• 2Pet. 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

ANSWER:

• Grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

4. What could we do in order to grow in His grace?

• 1Pet. 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby

• Eph. 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ

ANSWER:

• Ask for the desire to study God’s word and when you have the word in you then speak the truth in love.

5. Could the grace of God help us to do good works?

• 2Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work

• Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph. 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

• Phil. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

ANSWER:

• Yes

6. Could the grace of God help us with our weaknesses?

• 2Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

ANSWER:

• Yes

Christ Our Salvation (The Throne of Grace)

1. Where should we go to receive the grace of God according to Heb. 4:16?

• Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

ANSWER:

• Throne of grace

2. Who is sitting in the throne of grace? (Read the verses before, Heb. 4:14, 15)

• Heb. 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

• Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

ANSWER:

• Jesus the Son of God as our High Priest

3. What could Jesus as our High Priest help us with?

• Heb. 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

• Heb. 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

ANSWER:

• To make reconciliation for our sins

• To help us to overcome temptations

4. Where is the throne of grace?

• Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

• Jer. 17:12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.

ANSWER:

• In the heavenly sanctuary.

OBSERVATION AND QUESTION:

• Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

• Notice the connection between the throne of grace and mercy. Is it possible that there is a close connection between the throne of grace and the mercy seat?

CONCLUSION:

• One thing is for sure. The throne of grace is closely connected to the ministry of the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. Therefore the gift of grace was sealed and confirmed when Jesus died on the cross and the gift of grace continues to minister for us as Jesus is ministering for us in the heavenly sanctuary until the grace period ends and then Jesus comes back sitting on the throne of glory (See Matt. 25:31).

5. What are the conditions for us to experience the full gift of God’s grace?

• James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

ANSWER:

• Humility, submission, drawing near to God.

CONCLUSION:

• With humble spirit we may go to the throne of grace with boldness!