The Word Saves

(7/17/22; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: John 12:44-50

Summary Highlights: In vss. 44-46 Jesus declares that whoever believes in Him believes in the One who sent Him (i.e., God the Father). Whoever sees Him sees the One who sent Him. Jesus declares that He is the light that allows His people to avoid living in darkness.

In vss. 47- 50 Jesus declares that those who reject Him will not be judged by Him, right now. Jesus came to save, not judge at this time. But there will be a judgment for those who reject Him. Jesus declares that He has only spoken what the Father gave Him to say.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is that Jesus came to be the light and judgment is coming for those who reject Him. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to walk in the light of God’s will and urge others to do the same.

Applications:
1. God’s representative. Notice in vss. 44-45 that Jesus was and is the pure representation of the Father. As in the text, we should do the best representation of the Father that we can be.

We do this by living obedient lives and giving all of the glory to God. Think about how there are biblical principles for every area of our lives. Let’s work on being great representatives of God.

2. Living in the light. Notice in vs. 26 that living by God’s will is living in the light, instead of in the darkness. As disciples of Christ, we can and should prayerfully study and obey God’s word as our means of living in the light of God’s will.

A failure to do so is to remain in the darkness of this world. We should encourage one another to be faithful in prayerful study and obedience. Let’s work on living in the light of God’s word.

At the core of God’s word are the issues of accepting Jesus as our savior by faith and living our lives with high priority given to loving God and others as we love ourselves.

3. Our assignments. Notice in vs. 47 that Jesus understood and stay focused on His assignment of saving, not judging (at this time). As in the text, we should seek to understand and perform our assignments. We can find our assignments by seeking to live by biblical principles in every area of our lives.

We should seek intersections of needs that need to be met, our abilities to help, and our willingness to help. A coordinated team can accomplish so much. But when everyone is simply doing whatever they want, chaos is normally nearby. Let’s work on understanding and carrying out our assignments.

Think about how this application relates to your personal stewardship, family and friend duties, church and community duties, and your job or business.

4. Judgement. Notice in vs. 48 that even though Jesus did not come to judge (this time), there is still a judgement that awaits those who reject Him. As in the text, there is a judgment that awaits those who reject the teachings of Jesus. As disciples, we should do what we can to help people understand and obey God’s word.

There are great blessings that come with obedience. And there is punishment that comes with not obeying God’s word. Just like there is a Heaven and eternal life, there is a Hell and eternal torment.

We should not confuse God’s longsuffering compassion with His no longer being a just judge. Let’s live like we believe that judgment is coming. This kind of living should include our helping others get right before judgment comes.

Furthermore, believers don’t have to worry about the Great White Throne Judgement (see Rev. 20:11-15), but we should strive to have gold at the Judgement Seat of Christ (see I Cor. 3:10-15).

5. Salvation. Notice in vs. 50 that there is eternal life for those who align with God’s will. We should read this to mean that we are called to accept Christ as our savior by faith.

This means that we have asked and are trusting God to have forgiven us of our sins, so that we are now in right relationship with Him. Telling evidence of our genuine faith (as opposed to simply saying the right words) is our striving to understand and obey God’s word.

None of us are dotting all of the I’s or crossing all of the T’s. However, we should be convicted to strive to keep moving forward in our understanding and obeying God’s will. Let’s make sure that we are really saved.

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Freedom and the Law

(5/15/22; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Galatians 3:18-29

Summary Highlights: In vss. 18-19a Paul talks about the inheritance (i.e., eternal life and righteous status) being based on the promise. It is not based on the law. This raises the question, “Why was the law given at all”?

In vss. 19b-21 Paul talks about the law being added because of transgressions. And the law was given “until the Seed comes (i.e., Jesus Christ).” The law was given through angels and a mediator. The promise was given directly by God. The law is not opposed to the promises of God.

In vss. 22-29 the promise is for those who believe. The law was like the guardian for humankind. However, when “being justified by faith” came, we no longer needed the law. In Christ, all believers are children of God.

By being baptized into Christ, there is no more Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. We are all one in Christ, Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is that through Christ, believers are heirs to God’s promises and are called to live in unity. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to appreciate the promises of God as we live together in Him.

Applications:
1. Inherited promises. Notice in vs. 18, 22 that there is mention of the inheritance and what was promised. Both of these are talking about eternal life and having a righteous status for those who believe.

As believers in the substitute death payment of Jesus Christ for the penalty of our sins, we inherit and are promised the great blessings of eternal life and having a righteous status before God. We never work our way into being right with God. We are given the promises of God based on God’s grace.

Let’s live like we appreciated our promised inheritance. This calls for striving to love God with all that we have and to love others as we should love ourselves.

2. The purpose of the law. Notice in vss. 19, 22 that the law was added because of humankind’s transgressions. One of the major purposes of the law was to show us that we cannot save ourselves. In fact, if the law could give life, righteousness would have came by it.

A key point for us to remember is that in reference to living by the law, there is none righteous, no not one. That is why we needed a savior.

Let’s live like we know that we are saved by grace, not by keeping the law. This application should help us live humbly among one another. None us would be here without the grace of God.

3. Seasons. Notice in vss. 19-21, 23-25 that the law was temporary. It was in effect until the Seed to whom the promised referred had come – Jesus Christ. The law was inferior to the promise in that the law came through angels, but the promise came from God Himself.

The law was the guardian, until the guardian was no longer needed. We should strive to appreciate that God has a master plan. Just as there was a dispensation of law and dispensation of grace, God works a master plan for the lives of His people.

This plan includes some high mountains and low valleys, but if we keep the faith, the end makes the journey worth enduring. Let’s keep the faith like we believe that God is working things out for our favor. This kind of living should include obedience, joy, and confidence.

4. Baptized believers. Notice in vss. 26-27, 29 that in Christ, all believers are children of God. They are baptized into Christ and clothed with Christ. They are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

In other words, all believers are special to God. There are no big “I”s and little “U”s. Christian baptism is supposed to symbolize our dying to our selves and the world as well as our being resurrected to live for Jesus.

It is to signal our being clothed with Christ to live by His will. This text should urges us to live as if all believers are special to God. And it should move us to live like those who are clothed with Christ.

This means living by biblical principles in every area of our lives. Let’s work on living like baptized believers.

5. Unity in Christ. Notice in vs. 28 that among those who are baptized into Christ, there is no more Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. Being in Christ makes those things that used to divided us so much less relevant.

We should be more concerned with Christ and the gifts that He has given us than being divided by things like ethnicity, social economic status, and gender roles. Our goal should be to focus on being united in living for Christ, instead of being divided by the items listed.

Think about how this application speaks to what divides us today (e.g., gender roles, racism, classism, denominationalism, etc.). Let’s work on living in unity as baptized believers.

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Rescued From Doubt

(6/27/21; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Matthew 14:22-33

Summary Highlights: In vss. 22-24, Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him. They were to cross the lake by boat. Jesus stayed to dismiss the crowd and pray. The disciples ran into a storm.

In vss. 25-31, Jesus was walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him, they were terrified. Peter trusted Jesus enough to walk on the water a little bit, but he got distracted by the wind. Jesus rescued him while commenting on his shortage of faith.

In vss. 32-33, Peter and Jesus got into the boat. The wind stops. The disciples worshipped Jesus as the Son of God.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is that Jesus helped His disciples move from fear to more faith and worship. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to grow in our faith and get rid of more and more of our fears.

Applications:
1. Prayerful planning. Notice in vss. 22-23 that Jesus had a plan that included time for Him to pray alone. First, even though we don’t control all of the variables in our lives, we would do well to “plan our work, and work our plans.” Our plans should be made with great prayer, and we should always flex to whatever God allows.

Second, our plans should include some time to pray alone. Praying with others is good. We should do both – individual and group. Let’s work on prayerful planning.

2. God and the impossible. Notice in vss. 25, 32 that Jesus walked on the water and the wind died down when He got into the boat. As in the text, God can do what seems to be impossible. Think about what seems to be as impossible as walking on the water or stopping the wind in your life.

God can handle all that comes to our minds and more. Let’s live like we believe that God can do what seems to be impossible. This kind of living should be known for obedience, confidence, and hope.

3. Faith in the storms. Notice in vss. 24, 26-31 that the disciples ended up in a storm that called for them to have more faith than fear. First, as in the text, we can be doing the right things and still end up in stormy weather. Think about how you can be taking care of your personal stewardship (i.e., mindset, health, and wealth), relational (i.e., family, friends, and associates), and contribution (i.e., church and community) duties and still run into stressful and uncomfortable situations.

Second, as in the text, we should not be surprised when we are afraid. Storms can be deadly without divine intervention. Third, we should strive to have more faith than fear. This may call for experimenting with God’s protection. In our text, Peter experimented. Gideon experimented (see Jg. 6:36-40). Passages like Malachi 3:8-10 urges a type of experimentation.

But at some point, we should grow from experimenting to simply taking God at His word, in good times and in bad. Let’s work on developing a faith that is stronger than our fears and storms.

4. Courage and fear. Notice in vs. 27 that Jesus called for His disciples totake courage, instead of being ruled by fear. First, as in the text, God is still calling His disciples to have more courage and faith in Him than being afraid of the circumstances of their lives. To say that God is great and yet consistently be controlled by fear is contradictory.

Second, the following are great ways to increase our courage and decrease our fears: prayerfully study God’s word with a mind to obey it; be in mutually supportive and encouraging relationships with other disciples; and be mindful of how God takes care of us and others in stormy weather. Let’s work on having more courage than fear.

5. Worshipping God. Notice in vs. 33 that the disciples worshipped Jesus as the Son of God, after the storm stopped. First, we should regularly worship God. We should deliberately and energetically express our acknowledgement of how great God is and our dedication to obeying Him. Corporate worship experiences with our church family are precious. However, we should have some small group and personal worship experiences as well.

Second, when we have new experiences with God, we should have new dimensions of worshipping Him. It is one level of worship, when we worship God because of what we heard He could do with storms. It is another level of worship, when we worship God because of our experiencing His stopping storms in our lives.

Third, passages like Hebrews 13:15-16 urges us to worship God with our lips and our lives. The more we say on Sunday morning, the more we should live and serve the rest of the week. Let’s work on worshipping God with our lips and lives in proportion to our growing understanding of His greatness.

 

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(Updated 5/2021; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Matthew 5:17-26

Summary Highlights: In vss. 17-20, Jesus teaches about the fulfilment of the Law. Heaven and Earth are said to pass away before any part of the Law will. Those who live by and teach the Law will be blessed. Those who break any part of the Law and teach others to do the same will be the least in the kingdom of God.

In vss. 21-22, Jesus talks about the danger of being at odds with others. Not only is murder wrong but being angry with one’s brother is subject to judgment. Using insulting language is subject to punishment.

In vss. 23-26, Jesus teaches that reconciliation with brothers is more urgent than offerings to God. Jesus talks about leaving the offering, reconciling with brothers, and then giving the offering. Matters are to be settled quickly among brothers.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is that God wants His people to live in harmony with one another. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to work on living in harmony with one another.

Applications:
1. Fulfilling the Law. Notice in vss. 17-20 the idea that the Law must be fulfilled. The Pastor subscribes to the idea that Jesus fulfills the Law. That is, the righteousness that the Law aimed to provide is only provided through faith in Jesus.

Another way of saying this is to say that instead of trying to live by all of the Law requirements to be right with God, we accept Jesus as our savior by faith to be right with God the Father.

Let’s live like we appreciate the righteousness available to us through Jesus. Such living should be known for gratitude and striving to love God, others, and our selves.

2. Living and teaching. Notice in vs. 19 the ideas of blessings following those who obey and teach obedience to God, while punishment follows those who disobey and teach disobedience to God.

It seems to a great degree that we have to choose to obey or not obey God. In doing so, we also teach by our example the idea of obeying or disobeying. Let’s work on obeying and teaching obedience.

Life is challenging enough; we don’t want to be responsible for teaching people disobedience with our example.

3. Behavior and attitude. Notice in vss. 21-22 the idea of God being the ruler of our behavior and attitudes. The behaviors of murder and uttering insulting words are sins, and the attitude of sinful anger is sin. God doesn’t want us to act righteous with a wicked heart.

He wants our actions and attitudes aligned with His will. In other words, He wants to rule our outward behaviors and inward heart. Let’s work on submitting to God’s rulership of our entire person.

Prayerful studying and obeying are strong steps in getting our attitude right. The more we do right, the more we feel right in doing it.

4. Giving and reconciliation. Notice in vss. 23-24 that the gift to God is paused until reconciliation is secured. There may be those who justify their lack of giving by noting that reconciliation has not been obtained.

Indeed, reconciliation cannot be obtained, if the other parties are not willing to be reconciled. The Spirit of the text is that we should strive to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters with more zeal than we have in giving to the Lord.

At some point, with or without reconciliation, believers ought to give to God, as God has prospered them. Let’s work on reconciliation and giving.

5. Quick reconciliation. Notice in vss. 25-26 the emphasis on quick reconciliation. There are too many old grudges in the church. The one who is accused is to initiate reconciliation. This is a tall order.

But yet it is what God is calling us to do. A practical issue is raised in the text. If there is no quick reconciliation, the issue may end up costing us more in the long run.

Let’s swallow our pride, stubbornness, or whatever tempts us to avoid reconciliation and obey God. The greatest measure of our spiritual maturity is not our knowledge but our love. Love calls for reconciliation.

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(Updated 5/2021; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Matthew 5:1-12

Summary Highlights: In vss. 1-2, the setting for Jesus’ teaching the crowd is set. Jesus saw a great crowd that had gathered to see what He would say or do. Jesus took a position on a mountain side, and His disciples came to Him. Jesus began to teach.

In vss. 3-6, four different types of people are said to be blessed. First of all to be blessed means to have God’s favor, not simply to be happy. The four people to be favored by God are those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, and who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

In vss. 7-9, Jesus talks about the blessings or favor bestowed on those who live godly lives. More specifically, there is favor for those who are merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers.

In vss. 10-12, Jesus goes on even further to talk about how the persecuted are blessed or favored. Specifically, those who are insulted and have false and evil things said against them because of their relationship with Jesus are blessed. In fact, the persecuted are to rejoice about both the rewards to come and their being like the persecuted prophets before them.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is that there is favor or blessings for those who are conscious of needing the Lord, those who live godly lives, and those who are persecuted for the Lord’s sake. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to acknowledge our needing God, work on our godly living, and trust Him when things get rough for His sake.

Applications:
1. Teaching the crowd. Notice in vss. 1-2 that Jesus taught the great crowd that gathered around Him. First, we should work on developing a crowd for Jesus. Every member inviting and bringing unchurched loved ones is a step in the right direction.

Second, we should work on teaching the crowd, instead of simply entertaining them or serving them. Service is important and entertainment’s cousins – comfort and encouraging – have their places. But without teaching, it is difficult to have sustained discipleship.

Third, when we see the priority that Jesus gave to teaching, we should give priority to learning. When people complain about being taught and trained to serve the Lord, it may well give evidence of how far they are from where God is calling us to be.

Let’s work on being a church that teaches the Jesus crowd. The best measure of how well people are learning is not the grade on their tests but how well they obey God’s word, which centers around loving God and others as we love ourselves.

2. Poor in spirit. Notice in vs. 3 that the poor in spirit shall have the kingdom of heaven. God loves those who are poor. When we mistreat them, we mistreat their Maker.

And when we bless them, God becomes indebted to us (see Pro. 19:17). Poverty can be reference to a lack of material possessions. But it can also be a reference to lacking what you need in other areas of your life.

In fact, it may be a poverty of spiritual strength or perspective. It may be a poverty that essentially says, “God, I need You in every area of my life. I cannot make it without You.” Those who are poor in spirit, as described, will experience God’s favor.

They will be those who enjoy the place where God rules – the Kingdom of heaven. Let’s acknowledge our poverty of spirit. The reality is that we are in great need of God for direction and strength to live our lives.

3. Mourning. Notice in vs. 4 that there is comfort for those who mourn. The commentator reads into this idea that there is comfort for those who mourn for not only what or who has been lost but mourn also about the sins that led to such lost. I am not dogmatic about this point.

But it is true that God has comfort for those who trust Him, in the time of mourning and grieving. And it is true that God will accept and comfort those who turn from their sinful ways, whether that was the point of this text or not.

Let’s work on living godly lives and trusting God to comfort us, in our times of mourning. When people whom we loved die, it hurts. When great opportunities pass us by, it can be very painful. However, Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal for believers.

4. Meekness and hunger. Notice in vss. 5-6 the emphasis on meekness and desiring righteousness. Jesus gives us a great model of being both strong and meek (i.e., gentle, submissive, humble).

Too many think that you cannot be both. Because there is a hunger and thirst of the human soul that will not be satisfied without proper fellowship with God, we should find ourselves eating and drinking the word of God and living by such, so we can be filled.

Let’s work on our meekness as well as seeking and living by God’s righteousness (i.e., right way).

5. Mercy, pure heart, and peacemaking. Notice in vss. 7-9 the emphasis on being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. Time and space will not allow us to go too deep into these three areas of application.

However, notice how being merciful to others leads to one receiving mercy. Notice further that having a pure heart leads to close, intimate, and privileged rapport with God. A clean heart is one that is focused on loving God and others as one loves oneself and with the blessed assurance of being saved because of one’s faith in Jesus substationary death.

And finally, look at how being a peacemaker leads to being blessed. Too many do not qualify as peacemakers, because they either spread gossip, listen to gossip, or don’t help those whom God has placed in authority to solve the problems.

Let’s work on being merciful, having a pure heart, and being a peacemaker. Sometimes being a peace maker means bringing issues to light, so they can stop growing and involving others.

6. Rejoicing when persecuted. Notice in vss.10-12 the urging to rejoice in the face of being persecuted for Jesus’ sake.

First, sometimes our troubles/persecution is not for Jesus’ sake and therefore should not lead to our rejoicing. When smoking leads to lung cancer, we should not rejoice. Or when stealing leads to us getting fired, we should not rejoice.

Second, you can be a great Christian and yet experience trouble. Think about the prophets and most of all Jesus.

Third, our suffering is only for a season that will be followed by great rewards. Fourth, we can rejoice in our hope, even if we rejoice with tears in our eyes.

Let’s work on trusting God enough to rejoice, despite the troubles that come from being on the Lord’s side. Church ought to be a place where we can find some encouragement and support to live by this difficult application.

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(Updated 5/2021; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Song of Solomon 4:8-5:1a

Summary Highlights: In vss. 8-15, apparently a man is infatuated with a beautiful woman. He really wants to be intimate with her. But circumstances prevent them from getting together. This book is in the poetry section of our Bible because of its figurative language. The Standard Lesson Commentary calls this book Song of Songs, and it takes the three-person approach. “Sister” ought not to be taken to mean a direct blood line sibling but as an expression of affection.

In vs. 16, the woman responds to her pursuer. She calls for the winds to blow her fragrance towards her lover. She wants the lover to come to her.

In vs. 5:1a, the man appears to have met up with the woman. He compares the meeting with the woman with that of entering his garden. He talks about eating his honeycomb and honey. These are obvious sexual references.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is that sex is designed to be enjoyed in marriage. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to do a better job of ministering in this area.

Applications:
1. A Black woman. Notice in Song of Solomon 1:5-6 that the woman describes herself as dark but lovely. This is a great text for so many people who think that dark is ugly. All of humanity, including Blacks, are fearfully and wonderfully made. Blacks should be appreciative of their Blackness like Whites, browns, and yellows should do the same. Let’s appreciate who we are, instead of exercising self-hatred or the idolization of others.

2. Are they married? Notice in vs. 9 that the man refers to the woman as his bride. I agree with the commentator that we are not clear about the couple being married or their being in a betrothal situation. A betrothal situation was considered binding but was yet less than marriage.

Those who are married do not tend to refer to one another as bride and grooms but as wife and husband. Whatever was the case in the text, we should know that sex outside of marriage is wrong.

To be clear, if a couple is scheduled to get married on today at 4:00 p.m., any sex before they say “I do,” around 4:30 p.m., is sin. This is not complicated. If the man and woman in the text are not married and are having sex, they are sinning, no matter how enjoyable it was.

The intimate kissing (see vs. 11) is not recommended for those who are not married. It can be very difficult to stop the sequence of events and emotions that lead to sex, after one has gotten to such intimate kissing.

Let’s keep godly sex in perspective. What God tells us to do is godly, not necessarily what we see people doing.

3. Locked gardens. Notice in vs. 12 the woman appears to be unavailable for the man’s interaction – including sex. This should be the case for those who are not married. Too often people get caught up in sex outside of marriage because of physical attraction, infatuation, and availability.

As a result, we have too many STDs, KIDs, and too much SIN. Let’s work on teaching our young people, by word and deed, to be unavailable for sex outside of marriage.

Just like staying away from fire can help prevent being burned, staying away from intimate situations can help prevent sex outside of marriage.

4. Sexual desire. Notice in vs. 16 that the woman wants to meet up with her lover. It is a mistake to think that only men enjoy and desire sex. A desire and enjoyment of sex may be as natural as a desire and enjoyment of food, drink, and recreation.

We should be sensitive to the conflict that some of us have. On one hand, we want to keep our girls from getting pregnant or infected with STDs. On the other hand, we should not make sex such a terrible thing that even after our daughters get married that they are in a premarital state of mind about sex.

Sex in marriage should be great. Sex outside of marriage is sin. Let’s work on nurturing more healthy ways of seeing sex. Sensitive teaching of young people (i.e., children, youth, and young adults at age-appropriate levels) within trusted relationships can go along ways in this area.

5. Ministry in the area of sex. Notice in Song of Solomon 5:1a there is enjoyment of sex. The church would do well to improve how we address the whole issue of sex. We can be guilty of only talking about the sin of sex outside of marriage.

We can be guilty of being mute on the subject all together. These approaches often leave inquiring minds to ask the wrong people about sexual questions. Wrong people tend to give wrong answers. Let’s work on doing better with the area of sex in our ministry work.

Every believer, young and old, should know that sex outside of marriage is sin and sex inside marriage should be for both procreation and recreation (at an age-appropriate level). Married couples should know that sex should be enjoyable to both spouses and encouraged to pay this area proper attention.

Most of us would be uncomfortable going into too much detail about the matter. Thankfully, there are some Christian books like The Act of Marriage by LaHaye that gives tasteful detail. Failure to give this area proper attention, often leads to one or both spouses seeking satisfaction in the wrong places.

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(Updated 5/2021; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Ecclesiastes 9:13 – 10:4

Summary Highlights: In vss. 13-16, the writer (perhaps Solomon) talks about how a small city was being attacked by a powerful king. A poor but wise man, in the small city, gave advice that led to the city being saved, even though the poor wise man was soon forgotten. The writer concludes that wisdom is better than strength, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised – essentially forgotten.

In vss. 17-10:4, the writer continues with how quiet wise words are to be heeded more than foolish shouts. Wisdom is better than weapons of war and surely better than sin. A little folly is compared to how dead flies can mess up body oil or perfume. Wise people tend to live wise lives, while foolish people live foolish lives. Submission to a rulers’ anger is urged.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is that God’s people should strive to live wisely. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to live wisely, as opposed to foolishly.

Applications:
1. Seek wisdom. Notice in vs. 16 that wisdom and wealth are not synonymous. In fact, some who are wealthy are foolish, and some who are poor are wise. Therefore, we should be careful about where we seek for wisdom.

Notice in vs. 13 that the writer found wisdom in simply observing how a poor wise man saved a city, even though he was forgotten. Because there are times to fight and times to put our weapons down, there is a great need for wisdom, not simply those who do what we have been doing.

Let us seek wisdom wherever God may place it. On one hand, we can miss it because we are not open to where God has sent it. And on the other hand, we can mistakenly assume that that which powerful people say is wise, when it may simply be foolishness.

2. Live wisely. Notice in vs. 15 that we do well to do that which is wise. There are some who know what to do but don’t do it. We should remember that too whom much is given, much is required.

The more we learn about God’s will, specifically in Bible studies, preaching, and personal devotionals, the more God expects us to live by the wisdom found in such efforts.

Let’s be people who live by wisdom. Those selected as helpers in Acts 6:1-6 were known for being filled with or controlled by wisdom.

3. Substance over sound. Notice in vs. 17 that one can have low volume but great wisdom, while another can have great volume and so little substance. Let’s strive to be people of wisdom, not simply volume.

Substance is more important than sound. And by the same token, wisdom knows that it should flex to the listeners. If the listeners are addicted to loudness then sometimes “wisdom” must lift its voice. In our worship experience, there is a concern with singing something new.

Wisdom says, we can sing something new, at a new pace, at a new volume, and even with new synonyms. But the lyrics must yet make sense according to the Word of God.

And as we seek wisdom, let’s make sure we discern the difference between sound and substance. Wisdom is not only found in the quiet, nor only in the loud. We must listen to whatever is being said and compare it with God’s word, so we can discern is this wisdom or not.

4. Sin’s destructive power. Notice in Ecclesiastes 9:18 and 10:1 that in a short amount of time a little sin can destroy the good that has taken years, if not a lifetime to build.

Many of us have heard about preachers and other leaders who were doing noteworthy works, but because of one or a few indiscretions (e.g., sexual sins, substance abuse, stealing money, etc.) their reputation and work was destroyed or scared. Let’s work on living godly lives, so our reputation and work for the Lord will not suffer from the destructive power of sin.

Furthermore, let us be careful about killing a person’s reputation and work because the person has sinned. We have all sinned. If we kill all the sinners, we will all be dead.

5. Character. Notice in vs. 2 that being a wise person helps one to live wisely, and being a foolish person helps one live a foolish life. In other words, it is not enough to do one or two wise things. Living wisely needs to be a lifestyle.

Let’s work on developing a character known for living wisely. At the core of our wisdom are the matters of accepting Jesus as our Savior and demonstrating that He is our Lord by loving God, ourselves, and others.

6. Submission. Notice in vs. 4 that there is wisdom in trusting God with submission. In this text, the issue is learning to be submissive and dutiful, when those who have rule over you are angry. Abandoning your post or unnecessary words can simply make things worse. Let’s learn to trust God to rule those who have rule over us. Obviously, when the leader is leading you contrary to God’s word, you need to stay with God’s word and suffer whatever the consequences may be.

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(Updated 12/2020; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Isaiah 40:1-5, 25-26, 29-31

Summary Highlights: In vss. 1-5 Isaiah is to comfort God’s people. The people of God have suffered for their sins. Now it is time to be comforted. The glory of the Lord is to be revealed. Prophecy often has double meaning (e.g., release from captivity and the ministry of Jesus).

In vss. 25-26 God has no equal. He is the creator of great things. His power and strength are unmatched.

In vss. 29-31 God gives power to those who are weak. When the youth run out of energy, God’s people will be given power. Those who wait on the Lord shall walk and not faint.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is God has comfort for His people when they repent. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to repent and enjoy God’s comfort.

Applications:
1. Sin causes judgment. Notice that it was sin that led to the Jew’s punishment (i.e., being overtaken by Babylon). Prior to this text, Isaiah had been focused on so much judgment. The stubborn and unrepentant sins of the Jews led to 39 chapters of this book focusing on judgment.

Sadder than our text is that many of us have so much negativity in our lives because of our stubborn holding on to sin. Let’s work on releasing the sin in our lives, so we can stop having so much judgment in our lives.

When we know about studying, serving, and giving, but don’t obey such we are acting like the punished Jews in the text.

2. Repenting to be comforted. Notice in vss. 1-2 that there was comfort after judgment. We should thank God that His punishment of sin doesn’t mean that He doesn’t love the sinner.

If we would turn from our sins to righteousness, God will turn from punishing us to comforting us. If we take 20 years to repent, it will take 20 years to receive comfort. If we never repent, we may never be comforted. But if we repent today, we can be comforted today.

Let’s work on repenting today, so we can be comforted today. Our level of obedience has much to do with what God puts on the hearts of His spokes people (e.g., Pastors, teachers, etc.).

A church that is involved in the community doesn’t need much preaching in that area. But a church that fails to love receive a healthy does of love preaching, until there is repentance towards love.

3. The trustworthiness of God’s word. Notice in vs. 5 that the revelation of God is sure because the Lord has spoken it. Many would quickly declare that they believe in the trustworthiness of God’s word.

But yet in our deeds, we behave as if we don’t. God’s word clearly teaches that if we obey Him, He will bless us (see Lk. 11:28), and if we don’t obey, we are subject to His punishments (see Heb. 12:6).

And yet too many of us fall to obey simple matters like being registered reachers, being loving husbands, submissive wives, bright lights in our community, and the list could go on. Let’s obey like we believe that God’s word is trustworthy.

4. Obeying like God has no equal. Notice in vss. 25-26 that Jesus is the unequaled creator. There is nothing and no one in this world like God. Our best friends don’t love us like the Lord.

Our worst enemies are no match for the Lord. As nice as this may sound, our behavior shows what we really believe. Let’s obey God’s will like we believe that He is in a category all by Himself.

This kind of obedience should be noted for loving God with all that we have and loving others as we love ourselves. A lack of living is evidence of a lack of believing that God is unequalled.

5. Waiting on God. Notice in vss. 29-31 that God gives strength that out performs even that of youth. Those who have strength outside of special divine strength will discover that it will give out on them.

But those who wait or trust in God will discover that God gives a strength that goes well beyond anything that we can take any credit for. It should be noted that those who trust in the Lord are yet expected to run and walk according to God’s will.

Too many behave as if waiting on the Lord only includes sitting. Let’s work on trusting God enough to keep moving at His command. Living out this application calls for us to keep on obeying God’s principles for families, friends, finances, health, community, and church.

It is an obedience that is based on our trusting God to take care of His own, even when there is no or very little apparent fruit from our labor.

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(Updated 12/2020; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: Psalms 91:1-6, 9-16

Summary Highlights: In vss. 1-6 the anonymous writer talks about his confidence in the Lord. He talks about hiding in the secret place and under the shadow of God. He is trusting God to deliver him from the attack of enemies – snare of fowlers, noisome (i.e., very offensive or harmful) pestilence, etc.

In vss. 9-13 the anonymous writer speaks to an anonymous listener. The writer tells the listener that because of the listener’s trust in God, no evil will befall the listener or overtake him. Angels will minister to and support the listener.

In vss. 14-16 God speaks. He talks about what He will do for the writer because of the writer’s love of God. God will deliver the writer. Long life is promised.

Introduction: A key idea of today’s lesson is that God takes great care of His own. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to make sure that we belong to God and that we are living accordingly.

Applications:
1. Believing and depending on the Lord. Notice in vss. 1-6 that God is pictured as a place of protection. On one hand, the closer we get to God, the more we can expect that enemies and negativity will come our way.

The devil doesn’t give much attention to those who don’t pose much of a threat to him. But on the other hand, thank God, whatever the enemy throws at us, God is able to protect His own. God is bigger and tougher than anything this world can throw at us.

Let’s live as if we believe and depend on the protection of God. Such living should be known for confidence, joy, and we will talk about obedience next.

2. Trust and obedience. Notice in vs. 2 that the writer talks about his trust in God. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that without faith (i.e., trust) it is impossible to please God. James 2:17 teaches that faith (i.e., trust) without works is dead.

In order to claim the great things of this lesson like God’s protection, it is important for us to demonstrate obedient trust in God. Let’s work on demonstrating an obedient trust in God.

One of the reasons that the Pastor pounds away at such foundational issues like study, serve, and give is because obedience is the key to us getting what we want. Without obedience, our financial, relational, and health challenges keep getting worst and worst.

3. Handling truth with care. Notice in vs. 4 the mention of God’s truth. In Ephesians 6:17 we see that God’s word is pictured as a sword. As helpful as a weapon can be in the time of war, it can also cause us great harm.

With a pistol, we can shoot the enemy, shoot ourselves, or shoot our allies. Let’s work on studying the proper application of God’s word, so it can help, instead of hurt us. Using the three study questions and four study tools with the Sunday School and Bible Study material are great places to start.

Just remember that the more we learn, the more God expects us to grow in our obedience. For example, the more we learn about loving people and worshipping God, the more we should love people and worship God.

4. Encourage one another. Notice in vss. 9-10 that the unknown writer seems to be encouraging someone else about the comfort found in the Lord. The more we learn about God and His goodness, the more we should share it with others.

Let’s work on encourage one another to trust the goodness of God. Woe unto us if we either are not growing or we are growing but not sharing.

5. Treat people right. Notice in vs. 11 the mention of angels. Passages like Hebrews 13:2 should urge us to treat people right, because we never know who God is using to send our next blessing through.

Let’s work on treating people right. And we should let God use us to be a blessing to others as well.

6. When evil does come. Notice in vss. 10-13 the great promises of the text. Yet many, if not most, of us have experienced these and similar problems. What are we to do when evil befalls us, in spite of such a promise?

Let’s learn to trust God to work all things out for the good of His people. Whatever evil or negativity comes into our lives, we must learn to trust God to use it for our good somehow and some way.

7. Love and know God. Notice in vss. 14-16 that there are great benefits to loving and knowing God. This text talks about answered prayer and long satisfying lives. On one hand, let’s work on prayerfully studying and obeying God’s word. In this way we will nurture our knowing and loving Him.

But on the other hand, we must be careful about expecting God to do whatever we ask Him to do and expecting to see a long life. Some of the stuff that we want is not good for us, and if we live long enough, we will thank God that He did not give us what we used to ask Him for.

As for long life, we just have to trust the timing of God. There seems to be some people who live too long, if longevity is based on godliness.

And there are others who seem to die so soon. Remember, however, there is a way that seems right unto a person that ends in death. That is why we walk by faith and not by sight.

(Updated 6/2020; Dr. Baines, Jr.)

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Read: I John 2:9-11, 15-17

Summary Highlights: In vss. 9-11, the text teaches that one’s level of love or hate has much to do with one being in the light or in darkness. To love one’s brother means one is in the light. To hate one’s brother means one is in darkness.

In vss. 15-17, the text urges one not to love the world or things in it. Several examples of those things in the world are listed. Doing the will of God leads to abiding forever, instead of passing away like the things in the world.

Introduction: A key idea in today’s lesson is loving our siblings and not the world’s wickedness are essential for God’s people. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to love our siblings and keep from loving the wickedness of the world.

Applications –
1. Actions speak louder than words. Notice in vs. 9 that actions speak louder than words. For one to say that one is in the light but for one to not have the actions of love means that one is not speaking the truth. The tree is known by the fruit that it bears, not by the sign on it.

Let’s work on having the actions that validate our confession of being disciples of Christ. To say that we are disciples of Christ and yet we are not straining to be faithful in regular Bible study, reaching others for Christ, and at least giving a tithe unto the Lord is about as close to lying as the one who says he is in the light but hates his brother.

2. Love like a Christian. Notice in vs. 10 the emphasis put on loving our siblings. Loving our brothers should not be read as to mean that our sisters are not to be loved. When all is said and done, if we don’t love one another, we don’t have much going for us.

Christianity is not simply a head religion that is known for quoting a bunch of scriptures and doctrines. Christianity is a love religion that is known for obeying God’s will for us to love one another, even when we strongly prefer not to.

Love is not be confused with only warm fuzzy feelings. Love is a verb that calls for a long suffering kindness. Love cultivates courtesy. Love seeks the salvation of the lost and growth of the immature. Love seeks to help those who are less fortunate, even if it means fighting to fix social and economic systems. Let’s work on validating our claim to be Christians by loving one another.

3. Disciples of Christ don’t hate. Notice in vs. 11 how hate is both an indication of being out of fellowship with God and an indication of one being without direction (i.e., blind). Every grown person has been mistreated by someone.

To be a Christian does not mean that we deny being mistreated. To be a Christian means that we will not lower ourselves to hate those who mistreated us. We will not waste precious energy plotting revenge and acts of retaliation.

To be clear, Blacks cannot be strong Christians and hate White people at the same time. Heterosexuals cannot be strong Christians and hate homosexuals at the same time. Furthermore, hate has a future negative impact. Not only does hate mess up today, but it messes up tomorrow, because hate blinds the hater.

Without sight, one loses one’s ability to walk in the straight, narrow, and well-lit path of God’s will. Let’s make sure we repent from anything that even looks like hate. The best thing to do with those who tempt us to hate them is to love them and ask God to handle them. God can do more with our enemies than we could ever do.

4. Don’t love this world’s wickedness. Notice in vss. 15-16 the emphasis on not loving the world or the things in the world. The Sunday School commentary does a nice job of explaining that the word “world” is used in a number of ways in the Bible.

Here it seems to mean wicked and ungodly motivations like the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and pride of life. It doesn’t mean to hate the beautiful foliage of the fall, the marvelous flowers of spring, or the breath-taking sunset on the horizon. Let’s work on keeping ourselves from loving the wicked things of this world.

Lust and pride are both bottomless pits that are never satisfied. And if they were satisfied, what profit a person to gain the world and lose one’s soul? When we remind ourselves that all that we have comes from God then the silliness of pride should be obvious. We can keep our minds right by prayerfully studying and obeying God’s word with the support of other believers.

5. God’s will leads to everlasting life. Notice in vs. 17 that the world’s wickedness is temporary but obeying God’s will leads to everlasting life. No matter how great the world’s wickedness may seem, it only lasts for a little while.

But thanks be unto God, when we obey God’s will, God’s blessings and plans for us go past the grave. God’s blessings and plans last forever. Let’s remind one another that only what we do for Christ will last.

Worship is a mighty good place to remind one another about the reality of serving a living God. Christian supportive relationships are great places to keep one another mindful that God is working things out for the good of His people.

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