The 2nd Half of Marriage Class

Our Prayer

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and that my sins separate me from You. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to You for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of You. My greatest purpose in life is to follow Your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Class Lesson June 11, 2017

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

“How many friends do you have?”

These days, people typically answer that question by calculating the number of Facebook friends, Twitter or Instagram followers, and contacts in their phones. In our fast-food, microwave, disposable world, it’s all too easy to pass through life with lots of acquaintances and scores of connections—but few, if any, close friends.

Ironically, many people in today’s world feel lonely and isolated, even while being surrounded by masses of people. So, a better question to ask would be this: “How many close, personal friendships do you have?”

In this session, we’ll explore an incredibly deep and powerful friendship recorded in the Book of 1 Samuel—the friendship between David and Jonathan. Along the way, we’ll discover what the Scriptures teach about developing true friendships that last.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

1 Samuel 18:1-4

1 When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan was bound to David in close friendship, and loved him as much as he loved himself. 2 Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. 4 Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was drawn to David after the younger man defeated the giant Goliath and saved the Israelite army from destruction (see 1 Sam. 17). The word translated “loved” in these verses was used in the Old Testament for a strong emotional attachment. It could be used for the love between a husband and wife, but also for a variety of other relationships, including a daughter-in-law’s love for her mother-in-law (see Ruth 4:15) and a father’s love for his son (see Gen. 22:2).

To better understand Jonathan’s love for David, we should note another key word in this passage: “covenant.” In the ancient world, a covenant meant much more than a nod and a handshake. It represented an inseparable commitment between two parties. Covenants like this one were common in those days. Notice the exchange of garments and other items in verse 4. In that culture, exchanging military gear represented the highest form of honor. Jonathan also gave his royal robe to David, demonstrating his humility in deferring to David his rightful claim as heir to the throne of Israel.

These two men, alike in their affection toward God and concern for each other, would now and forever be identified with each other—even as Christ identified with us though His new covenant so that we could be identified with Him.

1 Samuel 19:4-7

4 Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him: “The king should not sin against his servant David. He hasn’t sinned against you; in fact, his actions have been a great advantage to you. 5 He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?” 6 Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed.” 7 So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he served him as he did before.

Jonathan and David had a friendship that withstood all manner of trials. If any friendship had a reason to fall apart, theirs surely did— yet they stood together and defended each other.

After slaying Goliath, David quickly became famous for his military conquests. He was very popular with everyone—except the king. Saul was insecure, and his jealousy of David led him to try repeatedly to eliminate the younger warrior.

Saul threw his own spear at David (see 19:10-11).

Saul required that David pass a test to pay the “bride-price” for marrying his daughter Michal. In truth, Saul was setting a trap, expecting David would be killed (see 19:20-29).

Saul tried to convince his own son, Jonathan, and his servants to kill David (see 19:1).

Jonathan would not honor such a wicked request, even from his father. Instead, as we see in this passage, he rebuked the king and stood between Saul and David. In short, Jonathan stepped in as David’s advocate.

Jonathan had all the rights of royalty awaiting him as the king’s son, yet he sacrificed them for his friend. What a beautiful image of Christ! Jesus laid aside all He had in the glories of heaven to come to earth, identify with us, and draw us to the Father (see Phil. 2:6-8). Even now, whenever we sin, He serves as our Advocate before the Father (see 1 John 2:1).

Jonathan’s life exhibited a faithful love for God that led to a deep and abiding love for his friend. Jonathan’s approach to friendship echoed what Jesus said centuries later: “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

1 Samuel 20:10-13

10 So David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” 11 He answered David, “Come on, let’s go out to the countryside.” So both of them went out to the countryside. 12 “By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you? 13 If my father intends to bring evil on you, may God punish Jonathan and do so severely if I do not tell you and send you away so you may leave safely. May the LORD be with you, just as he was with my father.”

Saul’s attitude toward David ran hot and cold. At times Saul loved David; other times he wanted to kill him. It’s no surprise, then, that David feared for his life!

Even though it might have been understandable if Jonathan’s loyalty had been torn between his father and his friend, Jonathan held firm to his covenant. He told David, “If I ever find out my father has evil intentions against you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?” (v. 9).

In the seclusion of the countryside, the two men devised a plan that would protect David and determine Saul’s intentions. As David hid, Jonathan would sound out his father and then communicate what he learned to David.

During this planning, Jonathan gave two bold declarations:

Jonathan prayed that the Lord would punish him if he did not protect David as he had promised. This statement demonstrated his complete integrity toward David.
Jonathan prayed that the Lord would be with David as He had been with Saul. This affirmed Jonathan’s willingness to sacrifice everything, including his claim to the throne, for his friend.

Jonathan risked his own life to maintain his commitment and friendship with David. He knew God’s hand was on David, the future king. Jonathan did ask that, in return, his friend would show kindness to his household forever. And years later, even after Jonathan’s death, David would maintain his side of the friendship. He brought Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, into his own house: “Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons” (2 Sam. 9:11).

There’s no doubt we’d all like a friend like Jonathan—someone to stick with us in good times and bad. And we need to be that kind of friend to others. Such friendship brings glory to God.

A millennium after these events, another Man would demonstrate an even greater example of this depth of loyalty. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, taking on human flesh to die for sinful humanity. Nothing would deter Him from keeping this commitment. He came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), sacrificing all for us. He took the Father’s wrath for our sin, He bore our shame, and He made a way for us to be called His friends (see John 15:14).

LIVE IT OUT

What are some ways you can imitate David and Jonathan this week? Consider the following suggestions:

Say thanks to a friend. If you have a friend who has stuck by you through adversity, thank that person. Also thank God for this friend, and let your friend know of your prayers.

Make a sacrifice. Follow the example of Jonathan and David—and even more of Christ—by demonstrating a sacrificial friendship to someone you care about. Give up something in order to bless that person in a meaningful way.

Renew a friendship. If you let someone down in past years or did not stand with someone during a difficult period, seek to restore that friendship. Let Christ be seen and honored as you return to being the kind of friend He calls you to be.

If there’s one thing we can learn from our disposable, drive-thru culture, it’s that the number of our “friends” doesn’t matter much. It’s the quality of our relationships that counts. May you be blessed with strong friendships based on a shared commitment to Christ.

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Teacher's Notes

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What have you enjoyed most about your friendships over the years? How many close, personal friendships do you have?

Friends: 1) of the heart, 2) of the road. The philosopher Aristotle observed three kinds of friendship.

Useful friendships: friends who are in the same business, people you work for or who work for you, neighbors you can borrow things from
Friendships derived from pleasure: you play sports with them, you enjoy dining out together, you have fun together, you enjoy the same activities together, a dating relationship
True friendships: you understand each other well, you have the same commitments, spouse, you understand each other

Think of a longtime friendship you have had. What kinds of things contributed to the length and strength of this relationship?

Common situation (age, jobs, schooling, background), common interests, an experience you went through together, similar perspective on life, maybe a contrast in age or experience – a parent/mentor and child relationship, maybe the sharing of a responsibility.
Loyalty, honesty, makes time, space, speaks the truth, forgives, faithful, laughs easily, celebrates successes, prays with you.

In this session, we’ll explore an incredibly deep and powerful friendship recorded in the Book of 1 Samuel—the friendship between David and Jonathan. We will examine 3 important qualities of true friendship:

I. Friends are Selfless

1 Samuel 18:1-4

How do you explain this attraction that Jonathan had for David? The bible says that Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was drawn to David after the younger man defeated the giant Goliath and saved the Israelite army from destruction (see 1 Sam. 17). The word translated “loved” in these verses was used in the Old Testament for a strong emotional attachment. It could be used for the love between a husband and wife, but also for a variety of other relationships, including a daughter-in-law’s love for her mother-in-law (see Ruth 4:15) and a father’s love for his son (see Gen. 22:2).
Jonathan himself was a brave soldier who had acted heroically in an earlier battle with the Philistines (14:1-23). We can assume that Jonathan was first introduced to David during his time of service in Saul’s court or on the battlefield in the events surrounding David’s victorious encounter with Goliath.
Second Samuel 1:26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. David’s comparison of his relationship with Jonathan with that of women is probably a reference to his experience with King Saul’s daughter. He was promised one of Saul’s daughters for killing Goliath. But Saul continued to add conditions upon this marriage with the underlying desire to have David killed in battle (1 Samuel 18:17, 25). The love David had received from Jonathan was greater than anything he could have received from Saul’s daughter.
In this friendship, there were really three people. There was David, Jonathan, and the Lord. Tie three pieces of yarn together with a knot at one end. Braid the three pieces together as you talk. God knitted these two young men’s hearts together, sort of like this. David and Jonathan loved each other, and they both loved and respected the Lord. A friendship of two people that centers around a love for God will be strong and will last a long time. These kinds of friends don’t think about what is best for ME, but what is best for each other, and how to glorify God.

How do you explain the “covenant” that Jonathan made with David?

To better understand Jonathan’s love for David, we should note another key word in this passage: “covenant.” In the ancient world, a covenant meant much more than a nod and a handshake. It represented an inseparable commitment between two parties. Covenants like this one were common in those days. Notice the exchange of garments and other items in verse 4. In that culture, exchanging military gear represented the highest form of honor. Jonathan also gave his royal robe to David, demonstrating his humility in deferring to David his rightful claim as heir to the throne of Israel.
The friendship between David and Jonathan was a covenantal relationship. In 1 Samuel 18:1-5, we read of David and Jonathan forming an agreement. In this agreement, Jonathan was to be second in command in David’s future reign, and David was to protect Jonathan’s family (1 Samuel 20:16-17, 42; 23:16-18).
We will see that this friendship lasted throughout both of their lifetimes. These men would risk their lives for one another. It was a friendship based on trust and obedience to God.

How is this friendship reflective of the friendship Christ has with us?

These two men, alike in their affection toward God and concern for each other, would now and forever be identified with each other—even as Christ identified with us though His new covenant so that we could be identified with Him.
The son who set aside his standing with his father to intercede on behalf of the one under his father’s wrath teaches us about the Son who set aside His standing with His Father to intercede on behalf of the ones under His Father’s wrath. Jonathan points us to Jesus.

Point: True friendship is marked by unselfish disposition toward one another. A true friend does not anguish that his friend may rise to higher levels in the eyes of others. He enjoys and encourages his friend’s success.

"It is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another," said George McDonald.

II. Friends are Advocates

1 Samuel 19:4-7

Why was it so odd that Jonathan would defend David to his father?

Jonathan had all the rights of royalty awaiting him as the king’s son, yet he sacrificed them for his friend. What a beautiful image of Christ! Jesus laid aside all He had in the glories of heaven to come to earth, identify with us, and draw us to the Father (see Phil. 2:6-8). Even now, whenever we sin, He serves as our Advocate before the Father (see 1 John 2:1). Jonathan’s life exhibited a faithful love for God that led to a deep and abiding love for his friend. Jonathan’s approach to friendship echoed what Jesus said centuries later: “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Why did Jonathan’s father want to kill David?

After slaying Goliath, David quickly became famous for his military conquests. He was very popular with everyone—except the king. Saul was insecure, and his jealousy of David led him to try repeatedly to eliminate the younger warrior. 1. Saul threw his own spear at David (see 19:10-11). 2. Saul required that David pass a test to pay the “bride-price” for marrying his daughter Michal. In truth, Saul was setting a trap, expecting David would be killed (see 19:20-29). 3. Saul tried to convince his own son, Jonathan, and his servants to kill David (see 19:1). Jonathan would not honor such a wicked request, even from his father. Instead, as we see in this passage, he rebuked the king and stood between Saul and David. In short, Jonathan stepped in as David’s advocate.

Point: Friends speak well of their friends especially when others would do them harm. Friends point to the good their friends have done when others are unjustly critical of them.

III. Friends fulfill Commitments

1 Samuel 20:10-13

What does it say about Jonathan that he chose to remain loyal to David, even to the point of working against his own father’s commands?

Jonathan is aware of what God is doing, he would rather have God’s will than his own fame, he was unselfish.
Jonathan risked his own life to maintain his commitment and friendship with David. He knew God’s hand was on David, the future king. Jonathan did ask that, in return, his friend would show kindness to his household forever. And years later, even after Jonathan’s death, David would maintain his side of the friendship. He brought Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, into his own house: “Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons” (2 Sam. 9:11).

How can a relationship continue to grow under extreme strain and tension like they had?

If we stay focused on what God is doing.
If we act unselfishly, put other people’s needs ahead of your own (Philippians 2).
If we trust in God’s power, love, authority in all situations.

Point: Friendships may face challenges that create doubt, but good friends confront the challenge openly with one another. Good friends desire God’s blessing on their friends and rejoice at their success.

There’s no doubt we’d all like a friend like Jonathan—someone to stick with us in good times and bad. And we need to be that kind of friend to others. Such friendship brings glory to God.

All of us know that it is sometimes hard to find true friends in life, but the best place to start is to heed the advice of Proverbs 18:24, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” (KJV).

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Class Lesson June 4, 2017

Forget “friends.” Look for deeper connections.

We were created for two relationships:

1. A relationship with God.

2. A relationship with everyone else.

Each of those relationships affects the other.

We don’t lack for “relationships,” using the loosest definition of that word. Just look at our social media profiles. Many of us have plenty of “friends” online, and maybe even acquaintances we see at work or in the community. But what we long for are real relationships, people with whom we feel a genuine bond.

God desires that for us, too. He designed us to live in community – in genuine relationships that are far from superficial.

This study examines relationships from a variety of viewpoints: from the foundation of true relationships, to the fulfillment we receive from deep friendships, to our responsibility within relationships with those who don’t know Christ. As you engage this study together, you’ll discover that an-abiding relationship with Christ leads to healthy relationships with everyone else.

Be prepared, though. You won’t just find out about the kinds of friends you need when you read these pages; you’ll also discover the kind of friend you need to be to others.

REAL RELATIONSHIPS - 6 LESSONS

1. LOVE LIKE CHRIST

How have you seen technology change the way we relate to one another?

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Ever noticed how more and more people seem to be having conversations with their phones rather than talking with the people around them?

Psychologist Sherry Turkle observes the impact of texting, email, and social media on our ability to have honest conversations and deepening relationships. “In today’s workplace, young people who have grown up fearing conversation show up on the job wearing earphones,” she says. “We are together, but each of us are in our own bubble, furiously connected to keyboards and tiny touch screens.”

Technology has given us a world of better things, but not necessarily a better world. We are a culture starved for relationships, but even the latest smart phone app doesn’t seem to help us truly connect in those relationships.

We read in the Gospel of John that Jesus gave us the key to relationships that matter. He showed us how our relationship with God affects all other relationships. That one relationship is the key that makes all the difference.

POINT

Base every relationship on the unconditional love of Christ.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

John 15:9-11

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 15 overflows with words we like to hear in context of our relationships: “love,” “remain,“ “joy,” and “friends.” But Jesus didn’t just apply these words to just any relationship: He used them in connection with the intimate relationship we can have with Him.

Notice how Jesus began in verse 9: “As the Father has loved Me.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, enjoys an incredible bond with the Father. Their relationship is defined by unity, oneness, and love.

Therefore, what an amazing truth to hear that Jesus loves us just as the Father loves Him!

You’ll never meet anyone who loves you like God loves you. God has lavished His love on us through Christ. This love is without condition, but not without cost. Indeed, it cost the very death of Jesus. Our response to this great love can only be awe and wonder-filled obedience.

Verse 10 says, “If you keep my commands you will remain in my love.” Jesus wasn’t saying, “If you obey me, then I will continue to love you.” That false statement would make His love conditional, and conditional love is the epitome of religion devoid of God’s grace.

Instead, the proper order is that our obedience flows out of love. Because God loves us, we respond to His love through obedience. In other words, we don’t keep Jesus’ commands to earn His love; we keep His commands in response to His love.

Best of all, the result of our love and obedience is joy, both for Christ and for us.

How does obeying God’s commands demonstrate our love for Him?

John 15:12-13

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

The Father loves the Son, and the Son loves us – but it doesn’t stop there. We are to love one another, and we are to love in the same way Jesus loved us.

Loving like Jesus isn’t just hard – it’s impossible. We can’t do it on our own strength. But Jesus transforms us from the inside out. He places His Holy Spirit in us. And His Spirit guides us in truth and empowers us to live out that truth (see John 14:26; 16:7; 2 Peter 1:3-4).

We saw the depth of Jesus’ love for us when He laid down His life on the cross, and verse 13 reminds us we are to express love for others in the same way. Throughout history, Christians have willingly laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, because their love for Jesus led to a love for others.

Today, we still see such love for one another among Christians. Lauren Sandler is an author and cultural observer. She’s not a Christian, but she spent a year living among and studying younger believers in America. She was amazed at their zeal and genuine love for God.

Lauren Sandler observed two things young people need today:

1. Certainty – that is, a truth to believe in.

2. A love Christians call agape. Again, this is the kind of love God has shown to us.

Even those who don’t know Christ recognize the need for truth and a love that goes beyond emotion. Both of those essential elements are found in an abiding relationship with Christ.

What does it look like to love others the way Jesus loves us?

RELATIONSHIP STATUS?

“There is no love without hope, no hope without love, and neither hope nor love without faith.”

- Augustine of Hippo

John 15:14-17

14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

What emotions do you experience when you consider these verses?

Here’s the progression we’ve covered so far:

We are loved by God.

We respond to that love by remaining in Christ and obeying Him.

This abiding obedience brings intimacy with Jesus.

We are brought into a relationship in which Jesus calls us friends.

Savor that thought for a moment: Jesus calls His followers friends!

The next step in this progression is to bear fruit. When we live in a continual relationship with Jesus, we can’t help but bear fruit. That’s what He told us: “I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain.” A healthy branch is connected to its source of life – the tree that provides the nutrients, water, and all it needs to thrive. As a result, it produces healthy fruit.

My wife and I recently planted a young grove of pecan trees. The trees should start bearing pecans in a few years, and in the next decade or so, they will produce more than we can manage. It wasn’t a minor process. First, the trees had to be healthy, then they had to be planted in the right soil and climate, and now they have to be protected from disease to flourish. We are doing everything we can to ensure that at the right time, these trees will produce healthy pecans.

Similarly, when we remain in Jesus, he provides us all we need to live – and to live fruitfully. That’s more than just existing. I met a young server in a restaurant whose arm was tattooed with this statement: “I want to live, not just exist.” We all want our lives to matter, and that starts with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ (see John 10:10).

When we walk with Jesus – remaining in Him, obeying Him, and loving as He loves – our lives will matter. We will bear fruit for Him.

Another way this intimate relationship bears fruit is through our prayers: “I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you.” The result of an intimate relationship with God is confidence when we talk to Him in prayer. This isn’t a “name it and claim it” kind of presumption that we can ask absolutely anything we want and God will hand it over. Instead, this passage teaches that our abiding in Christ leads us to obedience-based prayers focused more on glorifying God than getting more stuff for ourselves.

It all comes back to love. Our prayers are grounded in our love for God, and what we ask is motivated by our love for others.

We all want real, authentic relationships with other people. But that starts with a relationship with Christ. Let His love fill you and flow out of you into a love for others. Then all your relationships will take on the quality and depth you desire. Consequently, you will bear fruit in each of those relationships – fruit that will remain in the lives of others and bring glory to God.

How have you seen these verses practiced within the church?

LIVE IT OUT

How will you let the unconditional love of Christ impact you and your relationships this week? Consider the following suggestions:

Reflect. Take some time to think about your experiences with Christ. List at least three reasons why obeying Jesus brings joy.

Read. Read John 15:9-17 each day and note what it says about your relationship with God. Ask God to give you a fresh perspective each day and to help you stay focused on Him.

Share. Find ways this week you can bring joy to others – in workplace, family, school, or neighborhood. Bringing joy to others is a way to show Christ’s love, and it can pave the way for opportunities to proclaim the gospel.

Changes in technology won’t change our relationships – not in any meaningful way. Instead, our relationships will be healthy when they are founded on our relationship with Christ.

______________________________________

Teacher's Notes

1. Love Like Christ

How have you seen technology change the way we relate to one another?

Ever noticed how more and more people seem to be having conversations with their phones rather than talking with the people around them?
Technology has given us a world of better things, but not necessarily a better world. We are a culture starved for relationships, but even the latest smart phone app doesn’t seem to help us truly connect in those relationships.

How do the people you love (whether close friends, spouse, or family members) know that you love them?

What you say to them, how you say it to them. If your actions then match your words.
You make them feel important. You do what is best for them.
Timing … say the right thing at the right time.
Do nice things for them without being asked or without expectation of kindness in return.
Always be careful when your spouse asks “do I look OK in this outfit” !!!
Considerate treatment, fairness, kindness, understanding.

Jesus spoke to the issue of how to love.

He said we should base every relationship on the unconditional love He has for us
We are going to hear words from Jesus in John 15 today like love, remain, joy, and friends that He uses to describe the relationship we can have with Him!

Base every relationship on the unconditional love of Christ.

I. Remain in the Love of Jesus John 15:9-11

What an amazing truth to hear and know, that Jesus loves us just as the Father loves Him!

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, enjoys an incredible bond with the Father. Their relationship is defined by unity, oneness, and love. (Marriage)
You’ll never meet anyone who loves you like God loves you. God has lavished His love on us through Christ. This love is without condition, but not without cost. Indeed, it cost the very death of Jesus. Our response to this great love can only be awe and wonder-filled obedience.

The writer of our lesson this morning said that years ago, he attended a conference on spiritual awakening led by Henry Blackaby - the author of Experiencing God. At the end of one of the sessions, he took questions from the audience. A college student went to one of the microphones and asked her question. She explained that she was a new believer, and she was grateful for what God had done for her through Christ. Then she asked this question, “How can I pay God back?” Blackaby said, “I didn’t doubt that her heart was in the right place, but I had to chuckle at her question. The thought of repaying God for His goodness to us is downright absurd. If we were capable of repaying Him, it would have been unnecessary for Jesus to die. On the other hand, I must also say that I appreciate the young lady’s perspective. Even though we can never repay God for what He has done, we can still show Him our gratitude.”

How can we do that? How can we show God our gratitude for what he has done?

Jesus said to remain in His love, obey His commands, love others in the same way Jesus loves us, and to love others as God the Father loves Jesus, the Son.

What does it look like to remain in Jesus love?

It’s not just a place I visit, it’s a place I dwell. It’s a place that I make my home there. I don’t have this relationship once a week – it’s a constant walk with Christ. We to remain or abide constantly in His presence.
We abide in His love by obeying Him. What does it mean to “abide” in Christ’s love? In verse four, Jesus told His disciples, “Abide in me.” That means having Him as your constant companion. Abiding in Christ’s love goes along with abiding in Christ. We live with a consciousness that He loves us and we love Him. Jesus desires that those who follow Him dwell continuously in a relationship of love with Him.

What is the link between love and obedience?

Love is the Root, Obedience is the Fruit.
The more we obey Him, the more we demonstrate that we love Him – and the more we love Him, the more we obey Him. Evidence of love is seen in our commitment to obey the commandments of the Father.

How does obeying God’s commands demonstrate our love for Him?

I realize how much He loves me and want to respond to that
I begin to see that His commands are good for me
I come to understand that God loves me and gives directions how to live that benefit me and glorify Him
Obedience also demonstrates trust, faith in Him – I can love God and obey Him because I trust His commands are the best way to live

How is obedience a source of joy?

Love and obedience are the source of an eternal joy that only being in right relationship with Christ can produce.
The result of our love and obedience is joy, both for Christ and for us.

What does this passage tell us about God’s design for our class, our church?

God wants joy for us, even when times are tough we can know assurance of God’s love.
The church, the Body of Christ will support one another with love.
When we are walking in God’s love, it will be contagious, it will be passed along.

II. Love Others with the Love of Jesus John 15:12-13

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

The Father loves the Son, and the Son loves us – but it doesn’t stop there. We are to love one another, and we are to love in the same way Jesus loved us.

What does it look like to love others the way Jesus loves us?

Loving like Jesus isn’t just hard – it’s impossible. We can’t do it on our own strength. But Jesus transforms us from the inside out. He places His Holy Spirit in us. And His Spirit guides us in truth and empowers us to live out that truth (see John 14:26; 16:7; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
The greatest demonstration of love is to sacrifice self on behalf of another. While Jesus emphasized that His disciples are to love like He loved, we can do so only in a limited sense. His love to the point of death is unique in its character as the as the Holy One of God and in its accomplishment as the Savior of the world. Nevertheless, He expects us to strive to love as He loved.

When do you struggle with loving others the way Jesus has loved you?

Not all others are lovable … they are mean (statistician’s joke: on average people are mean).
Some people “hate your guts”, some people are unpleasant to be around (they stink, they dress weird, they use foul language, they are sloppy, crude).
Some people might be unpleasant because they are snooty, talk down to/at you, think they are better than you.

What are you commanded to do?

What does it look like to lay down our lives for one another? What opportunities do you have to “lay down your life” for others?

We might not end up dying for someone else, but we can give up things to help others. I might forego a purchase I wanted to make it possible that a child or grandchild was able to do something special. Give of your valuable time to help someone with a need they had. Dedicate a time in my schedule each day to join others in prayer for a special ministry of our church or our mission. Be willing to drive across town, out of my way to enable some kids to come to a special program. Donate skills to do help a family in need. Share the Gospel, give to send the Gospel around the world. Pray faithfully for children, grandchildren.

III. Love with a Love that Lasts John 15:14-17

What emotions do you experience when you consider these verses?

Here’s the progression we’ve covered so far: We are loved by God. We respond to that love by remaining in Christ and obeying Him. This abiding obedience brings intimacy with Jesus. We are brought into a relationship in which Jesus calls us friends. Savor that thought for a moment: Jesus calls His followers friends!

What does it mean to be a friend of Jesus?

We have the privilege of being friends with Jesus, a relationship in which we serve Him out of mutual love. We trust Him, submit to Him, serve Him, and follow Him.
Our relationship with Jesus opens the door for us to approach the Father with e will provide for our needs.

What is the fruit Jesus wants us to bear?

The next step in this progression is to bear fruit. When we live in a continual relationship with Jesus, we can’t help but bear fruit. That’s what He told us: “I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain.” A healthy branch is connected to its source of life – the tree that provides the nutrients, water, and all it needs to thrive. As a result, it produces healthy fruit.
When we walk with Jesus – remaining in Him, obeying Him, and loving as he loves – our lives will matter. We will bear fruit for Him.

Lesson’s important truth: an-abiding relationship with Christ leads to healthy relationships with everyone else.

Conclusion: There is nothing more important to God our Father than our relationship, a real relationship with Him and with everyone else! We all want real, authentic relationships with other people. But that starts with a relationship with Christ. Let His love fill you and flow out of you into a love for others. Then all your relationships will take on the quality and depth you desire. Consequently, you will bear fruit in each of those relationships – fruit that will remain in the lives of others and bring glory to God.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

It's all about...

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Class Lesson May 28, 2017

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Has your town made the list? A variety of companies and websites keep updated lists of the best cities to live in, the best neighborhoods for bringing up children, the best business-friendly towns, and so on. The criteria vary from list to list, and their choices can be highly subjective—especially if your community didn’t make the cut!

One word that might be used to describe the foundation of these lists is “treatment.” How do we treat tourists and other visitors to our area? How do teachers and administrators treat our kids? How well do local governments treat businesses in the area?

In short, we can tell a lot about a community by how it treats others.

In a similar way, disciples of Jesus reveal much about our identities in the way we treat others. That’s because how we treat others—how we love and respond to their needs—is directly connected to our love for God and our relationship with Him.

As we turn to the Gospel of Matthew, we’ll find a powerful message from Jesus on how our identity as His disciples must be lived out in our communities.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Matthew 25:34-36

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’”

To help us live out our identity as His followers, Jesus told a parable that takes us to the end of history. It’s a picture of His second coming, with all the nations gathered before His throne (see 25:31-32).

In the parable, a King separated all of his people into two groups. He did this “as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (v. 32). Sheep were more highly valued in that day because of their wool. While telling the story, Jesus said these more highly valued animals were placed on the King’s right, symbolizing the place of honor.

Jesus issued an invitation to these “sheep” because of how they treated Him. Specifically, they had met several of His needs out of their own kindness and compassion. Jesus listed a number of these needs, including the following:

Hunger and thirst. Water could be hard to come by in that region, especially in late summer or early fall. To share this precious commodity would be a great act of love.

A stranger. In Jesus’ day, when a stranger—a non-resident—came to town, he usually came with no job or means of supporting himself. As such, strangers were viewed with suspicion, and they were often treated harshly. But notice what “the sheep” did for the stranger: “You took me in.” That’s hospitality! That is more than handing over a little money and then walking on; it’s an investment of time, energy, and love.

Naked. This phrase usually referred to a person wearing only an undergarment. Lacking the necessary clothing in any culture can be devastating, both physically and emotionally.

Sick. People didn’t have “sick days” in this culture. Therefore, sickness typically meant a lack of daily necessities. Visits from caring were especially beneficial, even life-saving.

In prison. Even today, a person who is incarcerated has no income, and therefore, no way to provide for his or her family. Prisoners in the first century had it even worse, since prisons weren’t interested in keeping their inhabitants healthy, or even alive; inmates were entirely dependent on the help and hospitality of others.

What’s interesting about this list of needs is that anyone can respond to them. There are no special skills or additional education required to feed someone who is hungry, to clothe someone who is naked, to care for the sick, and to help those in prison.

Our society has different views on how to handle needs like these, ranging from government involvement, to charities, to church ministries. There’s no reason to dismiss any of these approaches. Yet we should pay close attention to the personal touch in Jesus’ words: “I was a stranger and you took me in” [emphasis added]. The “sheep” in Jesus’ parable didn’t just give money or help from a distance; they got personally involved.

We’re surrounded by needs: people hurting, people doing without basic necessities, people who can’t provide for their families, and more. We can’t meet every need, but we can do something—and we can do it in Jesus’ name.

Matthew 25:37-40

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

We’ve been looking at people who struggle because they lack some of the most basic needs. But Jesus wasn’t talking about other people; He was talking about Himself. He was the one who was hungry. He was the one in prison. He was the one who was sick.

You’ve got to love the reaction of the sheep—the ones Jesus now called “the righteous.” They were surprised! They never recalled seeing Jesus in such dire straits. They didn’t deny helping others; they just couldn’t recall seeing Jesus among them.

So why did they help? They saw a need. Period. Because their identities were being conformed to Jesus’ identity, they gave no thought to the relative merits of the person in need; all they saw was a person in need, and they chose to do something about it.

To the surprise of the righteous, Jesus replied with the most powerful statement in this parable: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Parents understand this. If you want to do something for me, help my kids. When you step into the life of one my kids and help them avoid trouble, learn a skill, or land a job, you have my gratitude!

The second half of the parable (vv. 41-46) is symmetrical with the first half, but it involves the “goats.” These people failed to do everything the righteous did freely. They showed a completely different attitude in their reactions to Jesus’ list. Whereas the righteous helped out of an instinctual love, the attitude of the unrighteous was calculating. They only helped others when it would benefit themselves. They surely would have helped Jesus in order to win God’s approval, had they known He was in need—but helping “the least of these” just wasn’t worth their time.

Surely to the horror of those He had placed on His left, the Lord answered: “‘I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment” (vv. 45-46).

Jesus referred to “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine.” These were His brothers in a spiritual sense, of course, which also makes them our brothers in Christ. This parallels what Jesus said earlier in the Gospel of Matthew: “And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward” (10:42).

As Christians, we are family! Throughout the New Testament, believers in the church are referred to as brothers (and sisters). Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, that person is my brother and sister and mother” (12:50). It’s a great witness to our connection to Christ when we, the church—brothers and sisters in Christ—love and take care of each other. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Does this mean we don’t have to meet needs outside the church? No! Our love for Jesus compels us to love others—inside and outside the church. Our identity in Christ is demonstrated in how we live and serve in the community: first, the community of faith, and second, the community at large.

In short, let’s serve Jesus by serving others!

LIVE IT OUT

What can you do this week to serve Jesus by serving others? Consider these suggestions as a starting point:

Start small. You will see someone who needs help this week. It may be something minor, but step in and help—and do so without making a judgment call about whether or not he or she deserves it.

Work together. As a group, identify a need in your group or church and create a strategy for helping that person or family through whatever hardship they are facing.

Get involved. Look into the ways your church serves and ministers to those in need—both inside the church family and outside. Invest your time and energies in working in one of those ministries for a longer period of time.

You may not live in one of the best communities in the country according to some list. But you live in a place filled with needs. Therefore, you have so many opportunities to serve Jesus, your Lord.

_______________________________

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan