Christian - Pentecostal Publishing House
Transcription
Christian - Pentecostal Publishing House
The Heart and Hope of a Christian JUBILEE SERIES ADULT TEACHER’S MANUAL SUMMER 2015 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 1 1/22/15 1:34 PM Adult Teacher’s Manual © 2014 Pentecostal Publishing House 8855 Dunn Road • Hazelwood, MO 63042-2299 All rights reserved. Manufactured in USA, June 2014, 194511. EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief: Robin Johnston Curriculum Senior Editor: Lee Ann Alexander Word Aflame Adult Editor: Karen Myers Editor: Richard M. Davis Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. © 1954, 1958, 1962, Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked “NKJV™” are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. www.pentecostalpublishing.com Do not reproduce, distribute, or transmit any part of this publication in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without possessing prior documented approval from Pentecostal Publishing House. To request permission, contact [email protected]. SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 2 1/22/15 1:34 PM CONTENTS Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 UNIT 1: BASICS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE June 7 First of All, Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 June 14 Fundamental Forgiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 June 21 Clothed with Humility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 June 28 Compassion—Love in Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 July 5 The Principle of Generous Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 UNIT 2: THE CHURCH—A PLACE TO GROW IN CHRIST July 12 Prayer—the Christian’s Lifeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 July 19 Reverence for the Word of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 July 26 Growing in the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 August 2 United in Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 August 9 Living Testimonies to Our World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 UNIT 3: THE CHRISTIAN’S FUTURE HOPE August 16 The Rapture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 August 23 The Millennium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 August 30 Heaven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 3 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 3 1/22/15 1:34 PM EDITORIAL FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE by Richard M. Davis church as we meet together for worship and fellowship with other believers, and out of that growing relationship will develop a strong sense of unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. As these characteristics develop and grow within us as believers, our lives become strong and living testimonies for Jesus Christ—living examples of His grace at work in the lives of imperfect humans. We will conclude the quarter by examining once again three of the most fundamental future hopes shared by all Christian believers. First, we will consider the Rapture, which is the catching away of the living believers at the beginning of Christ’s return to earth. Christ does not actually return to the earth at that time, for the living believers will be caught up together, along with the resurrected dead in Christ, to meet Jesus in the air. We will share a time of communion with Christ prior to returning with Him to bring a conclusion to the battle of Armageddon when He actually returns to the earth. Second, we will study the Millennium—the one-thousand-year period that will follow the ending of Armageddon. Finally, we will conclude our study with a fresh look at Heaven, the eternal home of every believer, for which we look with great anticipation and expectancy. Nothing is greater than our relationship with Jesus Christ! These lessons will remind us of the greatness of that growing relationship and its ultimate victory and destiny in Heaven! This quarter we are privileged to revisit some of the most fundamental aspects of the Christian life—The Heart and Hope of a Christian. Our study will be divided into three units: (1) Basics of the Christian Life, (2) The Church—a Place to Grow in Christ, and (3) The Christian’s Future Hope. First, we will consider some of the most basic aspects of the Christian life. We will take a fresh look at the subjects of love, forgiveness, humility, compassion, and giving, which are all fundamental issues in our relationship with Jesus Christ. How can we have an authentic Christian life without the love of Jesus active in our heart? How can a Christian live victoriously without forgiveness—both receiving and extending forgiveness? It is impossible. Further, living a Christian life leads us to exercise compassion, which is love in action; humility, knowing the degenerate state in which Christ found us and from which He saved us; and generous giving, which is one of our greatest privileges. Second, we will study five lessons that will examine the normal spiritual growth we should experience as Christians within a fellowship of other believers—within the church, the body of Jesus Christ. As we become anchored within the body of Christ, we will naturally grow to appreciate the power of prayer. We will develop a special reverence for God’s Word. We will continue to grow spiritually within the 4 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 4 1/22/15 1:34 PM FIRST OF ALL, LOVE FOCUS VERSE John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. LESSON TEXT WEEK 1 06.07.15 FOCUS THOUGHT Love is the most essential quality in a Christian’s life. It is the foundation of our relationship to God and to others. By His love God redeemed us and in His love we are made perfect. I John 4:7–21 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 5 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 5 1/22/15 1:34 PM CULTURE CONNECTION “F by Gary D. Erickson Ultimately, Love 13:35). Love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36–40; Luke 10:25–28; Galatians 5:14) and the greatest empowerment given by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). The other fruit of the Spirit emanate from love. In The Moody Year Book (1900), D. L. Moody wrote, “The fruit of the Spirit begins with love. . . . Joy is love exulting; peace is love in repose; longsuffering is love on trial; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love at school; and temperance is love in training.” God loves us because it is His choice and nature. We love God because He first loved us and gave His life to prove it. We love one another because it is a commandment and it’s the glue that holds civilization together. or God is love” (I John 4:8). Love is the highest characteristic of God. He loves the good and the bad and proved His love by giving His life for all (Romans 5:8). “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:9–10). God’s greatest expectation of us is a reciprocation of His love. (See Matthew 22:37.) Not only are we recipients of God’s love, but being created in God’s image transfers the preeminence of love to humankind. Love is the cornerstone of all virtues. It is the ultimate test identifying authentic Christian faith (John OUTLINE believers. A Christian’s dress and physical appearance definitely distinguish him from the world. Further, it is absolutely necessary to know and love truth. When giving the quality that would identify His disciples, however, Jesus mentioned none of these things. Instead, He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Love is a fundamental characteristic of the Christian life, and it is the one distinguishing trait specifically mentioned by Jesus. Obviously, if a person has and exhibits the love of God, all else will follow. Jesus probably gave love as the proof of discipleship because it is impossible to fake true love. The Pharisees were certainly faithful in attendance at the synagogues, and their outward appearance conformed to Jewish laws, but they did not have love. It is just as possible today for one to attend church regularly, dress modestly, and adhere to the true doctrines, and yet lack the vital ingredient of love. What is scriptural love? In his book Fruits of the Spirit, Charles Hembree wrote that love is not “that sticky and selfish affection I. GOD’S LOVE MANIFESTED A. Love in Redemption B. Love Revealed in Daily Provisions C. Love Provides an Eternal Inheritance II. OUR LOVE DEMONSTRATED A. Our Love to God and His Word B. Love to Fellow Christians C. Love toward Sinners III. OUR LOVE PERFECTED A. Love Perfected by God’s Spirit B. L ove Perfected by Serving Others CONTEMPLATING THE TOPIC If God had left it to us to draw up the specifications by which the world could recognize His people, what would we have included in the description? Would we have included such items as faithfulness in attendance to church, style of dress, physical appearance, or doctrinal purity? There is no question but that each of these items is important. Christians should always exercise faithfulness in gathering with fellow 6 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 6 1/22/15 1:34 PM only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (I John 4:9). one experiences in adolescence.” Neither is it “that silly and flabby Santa Claus love demanding no discipline or withholding.” Nor is love “an unbending discipline allowing for no mistakes, much less human feeling.” Hollywood and Madison Avenue have teamed up to warp the definition of love in our generation. Commercials flaunt paid actors testifying of their “love” for the products offered by their sponsors. Weekly tabloids blare headlines about the latest “love” of various movie stars or celebrities. This is as far from scriptural love as day is from night. Genuine love, according to I Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, generous, humble, courteous, unselfish, good tempered, guileless, and sincere. It was well put by the person who said, “We like someone because; we love someone although.” Jesus described the love that proves discipleship when He said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). The qualifying words “as I have loved you” go far beyond the perception of “love” on Madison Avenue or in Hollywood. This exceeds the carnal affection one may have for another because of a pleasing appearance or personality. This is love as projected on the Cross—Calvary’s exhibited love. It caused Jesus to love us although we were sinners and unlovely. A. Love in Redemption Much that passes for love in our era is tainted with selfishness. Too many marriages, rather than being based on scriptural love, are founded on the shifting sand of mutual benefit. Those involved in such “marriages” tend to see the union as a “fifty-fifty” proposition. Just how unstable this is, however, is reflected in the high divorce rate. As long as “love” is colored by mutual benefits, it is not true love and will not weather the storms that blow up when one of the partners is unable to continue providing a benefit. This writer reviewed a marriage certificate dated June 6, 1880. A comparison of this document with today’s marriage “contracts” reveals something of how far love has drifted in the last one hundred years from its ancient moorings. The certificate is adorned with Scriptures: “Man is the Head of the Woman,” “Woman is the Glory of the Man,” “Whoso findeth a Wife findeth a good thing,” and “The wife is a Crown to her Husband.” Included is the statement “. . . upon satisfactory evidence to me by both and each of them jointly and separately given, showing that they had freely and deliberately chosen each other as bosom companions for life, and were sacredly pledged to each other for a faithful performance of all duties arising out of the marriage relation. . . .” Such phrases as “companions for life” and talk of “duties” is increasingly considered by many individuals to be outmoded, but these things are the outgrowth of genuine love. SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES I. GOD’S LOVE MANIFESTED God has many characteristics. Strength, power, wisdom, knowledge, judgment—all serve to describe some aspect of God’s being. Scripture speaks even of the wrath of God, but never do we read, “God is wrath.” Instead, we discover “God is love” (I John 4:8). All that God is, and all that He does, is founded solidly in this fact: God is love. Love shapes and forms all else that He is and does. Even His wrath is tempered by His love. This love of God is not something of which He speaks only; it prompts Him to action. His love is manifested: God set the example for us in unselfish love when He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Christ’s love was totally giving in nature; there was nothing we had to offer in return. “Christ died for the ungodly. scarcely for a righteous man will die: yet peradventure for a good some would even dare to die. But “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his For one man God 7 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 7 1/22/15 1:34 PM Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? . . . Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:44–48). commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6–8). Though extremely rare, it might be possible to find someone willing to die in the place of a good person. But we were not good. We were ungodly and sinful, yet God loved us enough to give His Son, His express image, in our place. Love cannot be perceived apart from actions; words mean little. And it is by this supreme action of our Lord, the death of Christ on the cross, that we perceive the love of God. The love of God motivates Him to supply the basic needs of humans, including those who do not love Him. All about us—in the sparkling streams, the roaring waterfalls, the sprigs of green poking up through the soil, the fresh breeze, and the warm glow of the sun— we see God manifesting His love for the whole of mankind. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (I John 3:16). C. Love Provides an Eternal Inheritance Though we deeply appreciate the daily provisions God has made for us through His love, the greatest of His provisions for us is that of an eternal inheritance. This is an inheritance “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4). This surpasses our imagination. How could a righteous and holy God condescend to this earth to live among sinful men and to provide for them an eternal inheritance—while they were yet in their sinful state? There could be only one motive: love. Jesus loved His disciples “unto the end” (John 13:1). This kind of undying, unfading love provided an incorruptible, undefiled inheritance, which will never fade away. Romans 8:17–23 speaks of this inheritance and declares that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” An earthly father, out of his human love for his family, may provide them with an inheritance. But, however great it may be, it is a fading, corruptible inheritance. The love of God is manifested as He lifts frail individuals out of time into eternity, out of corruption into incorruption, out of death into life. In the Cross, God gave us a high and lofty example. As He laid down His life for us, so should we lay down our lives for others. B. Love Revealed in Daily Provisions The demonstration of God’s love did not end with Calvary. From there, God has continued to display His love for humankind by providing for every need mankind will ever know. In the Old Testament, God was known by various compound names, each of which described a certain attribute or characteristic of God. For example, Jehovah-jireh (Genesis 22:14) means “the Lord will provide.” Jehovah-rapha (Exodus 15:26) is interpreted “the Lord that healeth thee.” Jehovah-shalom (Judges 6:24) speaks of “the Lord our peace.” Jehovah-tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23:6) means “the Lord our righteousness.” These and many other names of God in the Old Testament reveal Him to be concerned with every conceivable need of the human race. All of these names are summed up in Jesus Christ. Paul said, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God demonstrated His love to the Israelites with manna from Heaven and water from the rock. God still supplies the needs of people today, and the motive is His love. II. OUR LOVE DEMONSTRATED If we walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, we will demonstrate to others the love He has shown to us. This is not an option; it is a requirement and proves genuine Christianity. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies . . . that ye may be the children of your 8 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 8 1/22/15 1:34 PM “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (I John 4:20–21). A love for God’s Word equates with a love for His truth. It is deadly not to love the truth. “Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thessalonians 2:10–12). Why must we love one another? Because God loved us (I John 4:11). In other words, we show we have received His love as we give it to others. Some individuals may misinterpret one’s love for truth as “dogmatism” or “stubbornness.” But to those who love God and His truth, there is no room for compromise or flexibility about truth. While we must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), we must, nevertheless, speak the truth. Indeed, we cannot speak falsehood in love. “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (I John 4:16). A. Our Love to God and His Word It would be impossible for us to love God apart from His love for us. We have absolutely nothing as a basis upon which we can commend ourselves to God. Our salvation and our relationship with Him rests solely on the foundation of His compassion for us. B. Love to Fellow Christians A love for God will manifest itself in a love for His children. This is not just saying we love others, but demonstrating our love by our deeds (I John 3:18). “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15–16). “We love him, because he first loved us” (I John 4:19). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Because God has loved us, we can love Him. We demonstrate our love for Him through our actions toward Him. We will want to spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word. We will hunger to work with Him and to do those things close to His heart. Jesus showed the relationship between our love for God and our actions: “If ye love me, keep my commandments. . . . He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:15, 21). In other words, our obedience to God proves our love for Him. We can say we love Him, and we should, but we prove it when we obey Him. Our love for God will be followed by an intense love for His Word: “O how Iove I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). A characteristic of a true Christian is that he will be found “distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13). These are the sacrifices that please God (Hebrews 13:16). Indeed, regardless of how loud and long one may testify of his love for God, the proof is found in the manner in which he responds to the needs of others. “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (I John 3:17). The Word of God commands that we personally minister to the needs of others. It will not do to excuse our lack of involvement by an appeal to present welfare systems and 9 SU15 AD TM from KSM.indd 9 1/22/15 1:34 PM