Class Lesson December 2, 2018

I wear this phrase out every December. I enjoy saying it partly because - like so many people - I love this time of year. People of all ages love all the Christmas festivities: the parties, the pageants, and the presents.

However, a certain hollowness can ring through all the trappings of Christmas. While the world is abuzz with Christmas frenzy, they're missing the full picture of what it is all about: the birth of Jesus, the long awaited Messiah - Immanuel, God with us.

We see the full picture of Christmas in God's Word. In this study, we're going to move alongside six individuals and groups and look at Christmas from their perspective. Seeing the celebration of Jesus' birth from their vantage points will be like observing a vivid Nativity scene. Even those who may feel quite familiar with the biblical account will discover details of this miraculous picture they may not have seen before.

Be prepared, though. As you look at the full picture of Christmas, you just may see how God wants that picture to be reflected in you.

The Full Picture of Christmas

6 Lessons:

1. Isaiah’s Prophecy | Isaiah 7:10-14; 9:6-7; 11:1-5 The birth of Jesus was no mere circumstance. It was planned by God.                                                                                                                        
2. Joseph’s Obedience | Matthew 1:18-25 Following God’s plan will require change in your life, but it’s worth it.                                                                                                                                              
3. Mary’s Trust | Luke 1:26-38 Embrace God’s call on your life.                                                                                                
4. The Angels’ Announcement | Luke 2:1-14 Jesus came for our salvation.                                                                                       
5. Simeon’s Proclamation | Luke 2:25-35 We have a sure hope when we trust in Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                         
6. The Wise Men’s Worship | Matthew 2:1-11 Jesus is Lord and He deserves our worship.                                                                                                                                                             

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE 

When I took my sons to their first NBA® game, it was a game between the Dallas Mavericks, who were having a great season, and one of the worst teams in the league. However, that night the Mavericks were not doing well. Their coach, Don Nelson, was fed up with the mediocre efforts of his players, so when he disagreed with a call the referee made, he stepped on the court and screamed at the ref. The ref gave Coach Nelson a technical foul, but he kept screaming. Nelson received his second technical foul and was kicked out of the game.

In a post-game interview, a reporter asked Coach Nelson about the technical fouls. Smiling, he insinuated he did it on purpose to fire up his team. And it worked! The Mavericks won.

Something that appeared “off the cuff” was actually planned all along! 

Some “coincidences” are not coincidence at all. They were planned. The life and death of Jesus Christ were no mere afterthoughts of God; He planned them all along! The Old Testament is full of prophecies that point to the coming of Jesus Christ. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Isaiah 7:10-14

10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 

If God came to one of us and said we could “ask for a sign”—any sign, even a sign as “the deepest depths or in the highest heights,” I wonder what most of us would ask for. The Lord gave King Ahaz that opportunity, but he put forth a false humility and wouldn’t ask for a sign. Here was a king whose country was under attack and his people were terrified. (See 7:1-2.) God offered to give Ahaz a sign that He was powerful enough to take care of their enemies. Ahaz, however, may have been planning already to ask Assyria for help and therefore didn’t think he needed God’s help. 

Upon hearing King Ahaz’s refusal to ask for a sign, Isaiah the prophet broadened his audience beyond the king. He told the whole faithless house of David that God would give a sign anyway! The house of David’s wickedness had tested God’s long-suffering patience, but God had a sign for them: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” 

Prophetic passages in Scripture can have multiple meanings: an immediate meaning for the initial hearers and an added meaning for future generations. Isaiah 7:14 has just such a double meaning. 

1. The prophecy was a word of comfort and hope to the original recipients of the prophecy. It’s not clear who the woman and child were, but perhaps it was a child born in the king’s house. The birth of this child was a reminder of God’s prophecy and the comfort that “God is with us.” 

2. The second meaning involves a prediction of the future virgin birth of Christ. Matthew quoted this prophecy word for word as he gave an account of Christ’s birth. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matt. 1:23). 

Historically, this phrase was intended to convince King Ahaz that God could rescue him from his enemies. Our sovereign God spoke something to encourage ancient Israel and inspire generations to come with the hope of the Messiah: Jesus. 

What captures our attention in this passage is that “the virgin will conceive.” The virgin birth of Christ is an important truth; Jesus had to be one of us—human—to die in our place, but He couldn’t offer the perfect sacrifice if He was like every other human with sin nature. The virgin birth means Jesus had no human father—God is His Father—therefore, Jesus was born without sin nature. Jesus is fully man and He is fully God. God is with us! 

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The long-awaited Messiah has been given to us. And there’s something wonderful about Him: “The government will be on his shoulders.” This statement implies that this son will be the royal son of King David, with rights to the Davidic throne. 

Isaiah used four terms to describe the Messiah.

• Wonderful Counselor. Since His name is “Wonderful,” then nothing will be dull about His reign! As Counselor, He has the wisdom to rule effectively. Messiah’s wisdom is in stark contrast to Ahaz, king at the time this prophecy was given, who ruled his kingdom foolishly. 

• Mighty God. “Mighty” means impressive in power, strength, and size. The Messiah will have all the power to execute His wise plans. This term also emphasizes His divine power as a warrior. The Messiah will accomplish all the military exploits previously mentioned in Isaiah 9:3-5. 

• Everlasting Father. The title “Everlasting Father” describes the Messiah’s relationship to time, not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity. Messiah is said to be everlasting, just as God the Father was described as “the Ancient of Days” (Dan. 7:9,13). The Messiah would be an enduring and eternal provider and protector. 

• Prince of Peace. Jesus is the Son of the One true God. The Messiah will bring wholeness and general well being to individuals and to society. The Messiah will set people’s warring hearts at rest by forgiving their sins. God’s peace is the inner-spiritual harmony we experience by being rightly related to God. We can take great comfort in the fact that Christ will keep us “in perfect peace” (Isa. 26:3)

Isaiah 11:1-5

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD— 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 

At first glance, verse 1 doesn’t sound like the Messiah comes from very strong stock. “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.” A shoot was a small reed—just a twig—and, of course, a stump implies that the dead tree had been cut down. Essentially, this verse teaches us that the line of David was on its way out until the Messiah was born. 

Isaiah showed us three significant characteristics of the Messiah.

• He rules by the Spirit of the LORD. The Spirit of the LORD came upon David when he was anointed king. (See 1 Sam. 16:13.) In the same way, God’s Spirit would rest on His Messiah.                                                                                                                                                              
• He judges rightly. The Messiah would not judge by what He sees and hears. These are typical ways for a king to gain information to help him lead, but the future Messiah would know all.                                                                                                                                                                       
• He wears a belt of righteousness. When a man prepared for action, he tied up his loose garments with a belt. The belt held everything in place; in a similar sense, the Messiah’s righteousness holds all Messiah’s other qualities. Everything Christ does is right, true, and just. When we trust in Christ, the Messiah, He gives His righteousness to us.  

LIVE IT OUT

The birth of Jesus was all part of God’s plan for Him to bring us salvation and righteousness. How will you actively trust the sovereign plan of God this week? Consider the following suggestions: 

• Praise. God has intricately planned the glory of salvation. Praise God for providing salvation to you. Thank Him for putting His perfect plan in place so long ago to save you.                                                                                                                                                                    
• Give. Many people have never heard the name of Jesus. Your church likely has a special offering to help take the message of the Messiah to the nations. Give to this special missions offering and invest in the lives of others who need Christ.                                                          
• Share. Ask God for the opportunity to share the good news of the Messiah with someone this week. God will supply the wisdom, compassion, courage, and words if you will be sensitive and obedient to Him. 

There are certainly plenty of coincidences in life, but Christ’s coming wasn’t one of them. Neither is the offer He makes to you to receive His free gift of salvation. 

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Teacher's Notes:

The thought of Christmas evokes different images for different people. 

• A time of family, tradition, and going home to special memories. 
• Christmas is all about Santa Claus, holiday songs, parties, and exchanging gifts. 
• Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth to bring salvation. 
• Christmas is a combination of all of these images! 

The life and death of Jesus Christ were no mere afterthoughts of God; He planned them all along! The Old Testament is full of prophesies that point to the coming of Jesus Christ.

The Full Picture of Christmas

1. The birth of Jesus was no mere circumstance. It was planned by God. – Isaiah’s Prophecy 
2. Following God’s plan will require change in your life, but it’s worth it. – Joseph’s Obedience 
3. Embrace God’s call on your life. – Mary’s Trust 
4. Jesus came for our salvation. – The Angel’s Announcement 
5. We have a sure hope when we trust in Jesus. – Simeon’s Proclamation 
6. Jesus is Lord and He deserves our worship. – The Wise Men’s Worship

I.God promised a Son – Immanuel – would be born of a virgin.         Isaiah 7:10-14 

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

What was the historical setting for this sign that was given to Ahaz? What was going on and what was the intent of the sign?

• Isaiah served as a prophet in Judah during the reigns of four kings: Uzziah (783-742 BC), Jotham (742-735 BC), Ahaz (735-715 BC), and Hezekiah (716-686 BC). Though Uzziah’s reign was prosperous and mostly peaceful, later kings witnessed the seeds of danger arising as Assyria, under the leadership of Tiglath-pilesar III (745-727 BC), grew stronger and more influential. Isaiah recognized that God’s people had sinned and were facing judgment from God, just like the Northern Kingdom, which had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BC. Isaiah preached that God would intervene and bring hope to His people.

Why did Ahaz not take the Lord up on His offer for a sign?

Why was the virgin birth so important?

Points: God invites us to test the veracity of His Word and the promises He gives. God is patient, but His patience can be exhausted by our disobedience to His Word, leading to His discipline. The promises of the Lord are fully revealed and fulfilled in Jesus who indeed is "God with us."

1. The prophecy was a word of comfort and hope to the original recipients of the prophecy. It’s not clear who the woman and child were, but perhaps it was a child born in the king’s house. The birth of this child was a reminder of God’s prophecy and the comfort that “God is with us.”

2. The second meaning involves a prediction of the future virgin birth of Christ. Matthew quoted this prophecy word for word as he gave an account of Christ’s birth. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matt. 1:23). 

[Verses 10-11] Isaiah 7 takes place during the reign of Ahaz, who continually did evil in the sight of the Lord. (See 2 Kings 16:2.) The events occurred when two neighboring kingdoms joined together to attack Jerusalem. This resulted in great fear for Ahaz and the people of Judah. (See Isa. 7:2.) Isaiah met with Ahaz and tried to comfort him (see vv. 3-4), but Ahaz turned to Assyria, a much greater threat than either of the smaller kingdoms. The Lord spoke again with a message intended to bring hope and comfort. God invited Ahaz to ask for a sign He would be with the nation. The sign was to have two characteristics. First it had to be from the Lord your God. God encouraged Ahaz to request a sign that could only be explained by the power of the God of the Hebrews. Second, the sign could be from the deepest depths or as high as the highest heights. This was a Hebraic way of saying from heaven to the place of the dead; nothing was out of bounds for the sign. [Verses 12-13] Ahaz responded with false humility. He would not ask for a sign. Ahaz knew he didn’t need to test God as the Israelites in the desert had done, but was he really sincere or had he already decided to trust Assyria rather than God? God had specifically asked Ahaz to request a sign; to do anything less would have been disobedience. Ahaz’s false humility prevented him from obeying the Lord. Isaiah rebuked Ahaz with a question. By referring to the king as the house of David, Isaiah stressed both the promise of God’s covenant with David (see 2 Sam. 7:11-17) and the recent failure of this king to stand competently and courageously in that line. The king’s stubborn refusal to trust the Lord’s protection tried the patience of men and of God. By using my God, Isaiah contrasted his calm belief in God’s deliverance with Ahaz’s frantic trust in Assyria. The problem was not refusing a sign but Ahaz’s refusing the Lord who offered a sign. False humility does not fool the Lord. [Verse 14] In spite of Ahaz’s false humility, God would send a sign anyway. God would reveal His plan whether Ahaz was ready to receive that sign or not. The sign would begin with a virgin. The term usually referred to a young woman who was ready for marriage, and it was expected she would be pure until she married. Though some scholars argue this term could refer to a young woman without reference to her virginity, the Gospel accounts make it clear Jesus was born of a virgin. (See Luke 1:34; Matt. 1:20.) The angel clearly cited Jesus’ birth as fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14. (See v. 23.) This special child would be Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” which would provide confirmation to doubters like Ahaz that God had not abandoned His people. Though Isaiah’s prophecy may have had an immediate fulfillment through a special child in Ahaz’s day, the ultimate fulfillment was in the birth of Jesus Christ. Old Testament prophecy often had a dual fulfillment, speaking to the current time but also reaching ahead to a special time in the future. 

II.God promised a child would be born who is the mighty God.                   Isaiah 9:6-7 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government `and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

What appears to be the historical setting of this verse and promise?

• Assyria continued its march to annex its neighboring nations. Through a series of oracles, Isaiah spoke of a time of great darkness caused by the unfaithfulness of he people (Isa. 7:17-8:22). However, emerging from this time of darkness was a promise of a great light (9:2). Because some regions of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, had already been taken, this message of hope was directed to Israel more than Judah. He spoke of the promise of the birth of a ruler, a king who would be the kind of leader they needed.

Which of these names for Jesus is most meaningful to you right now?

Points: In darkest times, God promises hope. Hope is embodied in the ideal King who comes from the Lord. The titles and attributes of the ideal King point to Jesus in whom complete fulfillment is found.

[Verse 6] That this special child would be born is a clear reference to His humanity. His human nature seems normal at the beginning of this passage, but later words provide the shocking conclusion this child is also God. Isaiah emphasized the child would be born for us. He was sent for the people of God. The prophecy continued, to us a son is given. While born by natural childbirth, He also was a gift of God. He was born and given. The government would be on the shoulders of this child. Other kings had struggled to provide the peace and protection the nation desired. This child would provide lasting peace and lasting protection. This authority unfolded in four names. First, Isaiah called this child Wonderful Counselor. The first word described the ability to work supernatural signs. (See Ex. 3:20.) The emphasis with this name is the supernatural nature of His wisdom. God would demonstrate supernatural wisdom in His wonderful plan to redeem humanity. Second, Isaiah called Him Mighty God. He would be God Himself. Later this same name was used for God. (See Isa. 10:21.) Though many people were associated with God, no other person had God’s name. Indeed, this child would be different than any other. Third, Isaiah called the child Everlasting Father. The fact Isaiah was predicting the child would be a Father—like a wise tribal leader—would not be so surprising except that it is coupled with Everlasting. This child had a beginning on earth, but He always existed in eternity past. (See John 1:1.) No human ruler was spoken of as eternal, though the promise to David was that a coming ruler would establish his throne forever. (See 2 Sam. 7:16.) Jesus would come as a child and establish the throne of David forever. Finally, Isaiah referred to the child as Prince of Peace. Though peace included the absence of war, it meant so much more than that. It included the ideas of well being and prosperity, fulfillment, and hope. Through this child’s reign, God’s people would finally experience what they longed to have—freedom from their enemies and a sense of purpose. Jesus accomplished this peace. (See John 14:27; Rom. 5:1.) [Verse 7] This verse emphasizes the work this child would perfectly accomplish. First, the child would have a dominion that Isaiah described as vast but His kingdom would be larger than one geopolitical country could contain. The Hebrew word expressing this vastness is often translated “increase.” It had the idea of something that was multiplied, or many times bigger. The child’s kingdom would be so large that none would have the authority to oppose it. Second, the child would establish a kingdom where its peace … will be no end. The Hebrew word used (shalom) means both prosperity and peace. In addition to peace from war or from enemies, it means completion or fulfillment in a total sense. Shalom included wholeness and unity, or perfect peace in every area. This child would not only conquer the enemies of His people, but He would also make them whole. The emphasis of this kingdom would be to establish and sustain the qualities of justice and righteousness.

I.God promised a descendant of David would judge with righteousness.       Isaiah 11:1-5 

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

How do we see Jesus fulfilling this prophecy in the gospels?

He rules by the Spirit of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David when he was anointed king. (See 1 Sam. 16:13.) In the same way, God’s Spirit would rest on His Messiah.

He judges rightly. The Messiah would not judge by what He sees and hears. These are typical ways for a king to gain information to help him lead, but the future Messiah would know all.

He wears a belt of righteousness. When a man prepared for action, he tied up his loose garments with a belt. The belt held everything in place; in a similar sense, the Messiah’s righteousness holds all Messiah’s other qualities.

Points: Even in the darkest times, God was at work to fulfill His holy purpose. God sent an almighty King filled with His Holy Spirit to do His holy work. Jesus is the King who reigns with righteousness and faithfulness.

[Verses 1-2] In chapter 10, Isaiah spoke of how God would chop off the branches of the great trees of Assyria. (See v. 33.) At some point, the tree of Jesse, who was the father of David, would experience a similar fate as only the stump remained. David’s family line would be in apparent jeopardy. However, a shoot would grow from the stump of Jesse. A Branch would arise from the roots of the stump and bear fruit. Though God’s people would face judgment and be cut down, He was not finished with them. A descendant of David would arise and have perfect access to the Spirit of the Lord. This included wisdom and … understanding. His knowledge would be perfect, causing Him to make right judicial decisions. He would have access to counsel and … might. This ruler would have the power and might to carry out His decisions. A person who knows what to do but is unable to implement those rulings is impotent as a ruler. This descendant of David would also have access to knowledge and fear of the Lord. He would have access into the mind and heart of God in a previously unknown way. [Verses 3-4] Unlike previous rulers, this Davidic descendant would not rule by what he sees with his eyes or what he hears with his ears. He has a greater source of justice and righteousness than his own senses. This ruler rather took delight in the Lord. The Hebrew literally meant to smell an odor, associated with the delight someone might experience in smelling a favorite food. Like the smell of one’s favorite food, the descendant of David loved the fear of the Lord, which Proverbs describes as the beginning of wisdom. (See Prov. 9:10.) His justice would not be based on human observation and estimation but on the principles outlined by the Lord. Under His leadership, justice would come to several groups of people. The needy would no longer suffer injustice because of their poverty. They would have righteous judgments even if they had no wealth to offer. The poor would not lack justice because they had no social standing. The messianic ruler would provide justice for those who could not provide it for themselves. Conversely, the wicked of the land would be slain by the rod of his mouth and the breathe of his lips. The wicked, who were apparently in positions of power to oppress others, would face judgment from this ruler of David’s line. Justice would be meted out to all. [Verse 5] The reign of David’s descendant would bring righteousness and faithfulness. The former word referred to conformity to an ethical or moral standard. The root of the word meant to be straight. David’s future ruler would establish right morals and actions in the community of God’s people. The second word was a reference to the idea of firmness or certainty. It was a reference to the stability of the reign of the Messiah. These two qualities would be like the belt that held one’s clothing in place. In Isaiah’s day the kings lacked righteousness and stability, but the future ruler, Jesus, would provide what had been lacking.

When have you been surprised to find out a coincidence was actually planned all along?

The birth of Jesus was no mere circumstance. It was planned by God.

How much does God control the events in history? 

1. At one end is the idea that God totally controls every event, every action in the universe, down to the box of Raisin Bran Crunch you had for breakfast.                                                                                                                              
2. At the other end is the idea that, while God is sovereign over all things, He chooses to stand back and let the universe run on its own. God only steps in when we plead for His intervention.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

We face a tension in this issue we can’t fully resolve on. But there are two truths in this tension I can stand on with full confidence and faith:

1. God allows tragic events to happen. We live in a fallen world of our own making. Even so, we don’t fully understand why God prevents some things from happening yet allows others to proceed and bring grief to our lives.

2. God’s sovereign plan will not be thwarted. God orchestrates some events for His divine purposes. At these times, nothing can stand in the way of what God wills. The tension comes in discerning those things God allows and those things God orchestrates.

God’s sovereign plan includes our salvation. His plan from the very beginning was to rescue us from our sinful state and bring us back to Him. God’s plan for our salvation for not tied to God looking down on the earth, searching and hoping for the right opportunity. The birth and life of Jesus was not just some serendipitous occurrence; as if everything just fell into place by happenstance. No, God was determined to bring about our salvation, and He orchestrated events to see that everything fell into place.

“But when the set time had fully come,God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Gal. 4:4-5).

Throughout the Old Testament, God “dropped hints” of what He was planning: prophecies. He spoke through multiple people over hundreds of years, pointing to what the Messiah would do “when the time had fully come.”

Here’s just a tiny list of those prophecies:

• Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)
• Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
• Born as a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16)
• Born of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14)
• Born of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)
• Taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15)
• Performed miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35)
• Cleansed the Temple (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:12-13)
• Entered Jerusalem as a king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-9)
• Died a humiliating death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53)
• Betrayal by a friend (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:18) for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15)
• Crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38)
• His side was pierced (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34)
• Buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60)
• Rose from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31)

We are approaching the Christmas season. As we ponder the gift of salvation and the arrival of Jesus Christ as a baby, hold on to this essential truth:

The birth of Jesus was no surprise to God. He was behind it all the way!

Class Lesson November 25, 2018

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

My greatest emotional pain comes when I know one of my children is suffering. One of our daughters was diagnosed with an incurable disease when she was a child. My wife and I were devastated as we made plans for her immediate treatment.

On the morning we were to take her to the hospital, I was up early, praying. In my pain, my words seemed almost meaningless. Then, while struggling to pray, for some reason I simply said, “Thank You.” Those words were an extreme contrast to the circumstances we faced. For thirty minutes I knelt in the dark and whispered, “Thank You.” In light of our daughter’s diagnosis, it seemed strange to pray a prayer of thanksgiving, but I kept praying.

Later that morning at the hospital, after a series of tests, the doctor informed us they had found no sign of the disease—and he had no explanation why. Had the original diagnosis been incorrect? Had our daughter been healed? We don’t know, but thirty years have now passed with no sign of the disease.

I learned God is worthy of our gratitude even before we know His plans!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Psalm 138:1-2

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

Offering a word of thanks to God is a fairly universal reaction to good news. Even non-believers sometimes will do that. Most people have expressed prayers of gratitude at some point. In one survey, eighty-eight percent of those interviewed said they often offer prayers of thanks.1 When good things happen, we’re drawn to thank God because we know He’s responsible for our blessings. 

When Jesus gave us the Model Prayer, He began by teaching us to honor God. He called us to praise God

for His holiness. “Hallowed be your name” (Matt. 6:9b). In like manner, David lifted thanks to God for His

name. “I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name” (Ps. 138:2). While praise and thanksgiving are closely related, there is a difference. Praise focuses on who God is, and thanksgiving focuses on what God has done. We have so much to thank God for, but David focused on two attributes of God for which he was especially thankful.

• God’s constant love. The Hebrew word for love, hesed, refers to more than emotion or sentiment. God’s love toward His people has revealed itself in acts of loving kindness and gestures of mercy. The psalmist could thank God for His love because he had tangible evidence of it in his life. 

In those moments when we struggle to pray or have difficulty getting started in a conversation with God, the simplest prayer of thanks can get us started—and we can always thank God for His love. Simply pausing to whisper the prayer, “Lord, thank You for loving me,” can bring us into an awareness of God’s presence. In his psalm, David described the love of God as constant, and therefore undiminished by either our faithlessness or our failures. 

• God’s truth. God has not left us in the dark. He has revealed Himself to us. God has taught us the truth of who He is, who we are (sinners), and who we can be in Christ. A simple and practical way to express our thanks to God for His truth is to read Scripture as a part of our daily routine. As we read and see the truth in His Word, we offer thanks. 

A dear Christian lady who resided in assisted living expressed it this way: “I get my Bible and read until I can’t read anymore. Then I open my hymnal and I sing until I can’t sing anymore. Then I pray until I can’t pray anymore. Then I just sit in this chair and let God love me.”

Psalm 138:3-6

3 When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. 4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. 5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. 6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

We’ve all experienced periods of being tired, especially if we try to “burn the candle at both ends.” But a friend of mine knew fatigue on a whole different level. After returning from a South American mission trip, he learned he had contracted the Zika virus. His strength was sapped. It took him weeks to fully recover, and he said the worst part of the illness was the constant fatigue and exhaustion he felt. 

David also experienced a season of life when his strength was gone. It appears to have been more than just a physical fatigue; his complaint seems to have stemmed from a spiritual or emotional weariness. It happened to David, and it can happen to us. Regardless of the cause, spiritual and emotional discouragements can leave even the strongest believers drained of strength. 

All of us will need God’s renewal at some point. Even the most spiritually mature Christians can feel burnout and fatigue when the work seems never ending and feels unrewarding. Charles Spurgeon is widely regarded as one of the most effective preachers in history. His influence was unequaled during his lifetime, yet he battled with depression. It often kept him out of the pulpit and in need of rest.3

Discouragement can leave any of us weakened and feeling as if our strength is gone. And while it’s vitally important to seek medical attention for a person who is dealing with clinical depression, prayer always plays a role in rekindling our spiritual fire.

When God renews our strength and vigor, we should thank Him in prayer. He provides and we should respond with gratitude. Furthermore, when God is exalted through both His work and our thanks, others will take note. “All the kings of the earth praise you, LORD, when they hear what you have decreed.” God is great and far beyond His creation, yet “he looks kindly on the lowly.” He responds to us out of His great love and compassion. God will not forget our needs. As we seek Him in prayer, God renews our strength and passion—and we can trust Him with every need in our lives.

Psalm 138:7-8

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. 8 The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands. 

King David understood political and personal insecurity. He was a warrior king who had enemies both inside and outside the borders of Israel. David walked “in the midst of trouble.” We might even say constant danger was his normal experience. The danger he faced was intense and unpredictable, yet David trusted God. For David, God’s protection was a matter of life or death. 

So why, given the threat levels against him, could King David be so confident of God’s protection? We find the answer in his sense of knowing God’s purpose for his life. “The LORD will vindicate me.” Since that was true, it stood to reason God would protect him from

his known enemies, as well as the shadowy threats that might lurk in his fears. 

In verses 7-8, we hear David express his trust that God would finish His work. King David could pray with such faith because he knew he was part of God’s larger plan. David could thank God for preserving his life even though he lived in a dangerous time. 

We might think we aren’t important in God’s plan like King David. That is simply not true. We serve the same God; the only question is do we trust God in the same way David did? We can still trust God to carry out His plans—both small and great—through His people. We can live with faith, believing God will protect us from danger. When we live with such faith, it is a tribute to God’s protection rather than our own sense of well-being. 

Trust in God is the basis of all prayer. When we pray with thankfulness, it is an expression of faith that God will fulfill His purposes for us.

LIVE IT OUT

The celebration of Thanksgiving Day can mean different things to different people, but the heart of giving thanks is tied to faith and prayer. 

Choose one of the following applications:

• Be thankful. Every day this week tell God something you are thankful for.

• Write out your thanks. Make a list—a long list!—of all the reasons you have to be thankful. Pray through the entire list and thank God for the different ways He has blessed and touched your life.

• Thank someone. Write a handwritten note to someone for whom you’re thankful for and tell that person why you thank God for him or her. Include a prayer of thanksgiving. 

If we want to have a fully developed prayer life, we have to learn to regularly offer thanks to God in prayer. And as we’ve been reminded, God is worthy of our gratitude even before we know His plans.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan


Teacher's Notes:

I.     Thank God for His Love and Truth
Psalm 138:1-2

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

Offering a word of thanks to God is a fairly universal reaction to good news. Even non-believers sometimes will do that. Most people have expressed prayers of gratitude at some point. In one survey, eighty-eight percent of those interviewed said they often offer prayers of thanks. When good things happen, we’re drawn to thank God because we know He’s responsible for our blessings.


We have so much to thank God for, but David focused on two attributes of God for which he was especially thankful.

• God’s constant love. God’s love toward His people has revealed itself in acts of loving kindness and gestures of mercy.
• God’s truth. God has not left us in the dark. He has revealed Himself to us. God has taught us the truth of who He is, who we are (sinners), and who we can be in Christ.

Leonard: How has God’s love and truth affected the way you have lived your life?


Points: The Lord is deserving of our deep praise. The Lord acts toward us with love and faithfulness; therefor, we can count on Him to be compassionate and dependable. Because of His love, faithfulness, and responsiveness, we know the Lord to be a reliable source of hope.



Context for this psalm being written.

[Verse 1] Matthew 6:9-13 assures us our Father listens when we pray. When we grasp the reality that God hears our prayers, our hearts fill with gratitude. If we follow the path carved into the first two verses of Psalm 138, we thank God for His love and truth. Some Bible scholars have suggested David wrote the psalm after he reflected on God’s promise to him about his future. (See 2 Sam. 7.) However, the psalm could have been the product of David’s review over his long life and God’s goodness in every part of it. Either way, he obviously wrote it to express sincere gratitude to God. David could have written about his troubles or chronicled his royal successes and boasted about his military victories. He could have written about his achievements and the trophies he had collected. But he didn’t. Instead, David gave himself to praising God alone, allowing the light of glory to shine only on God. By singing, David channeled the thankfulness that overflowed in his heart through his voice. With his song, David bore witness to the truth that only the living God of Israel deserved his praise. His testimony of praise sent an important affirmation about God’s presence. In surrounding kingdoms, people worshiped idols they considered to be divine beings. They bowed before lifeless deities in futile devotion while David worshiped the living God with a thankful heart. [Verse 2] For David, bowing accompanied singing. A gesture of humility, bowing before the Lord expressed David’s response to being in His presence. Singing praise to God ushered David into worship. As he continued to worship, however, David became more aware of the precious holiness of the moment. His awareness that he had come into the presence of God brought him to his knees in humility. Worshiping God has the same effect on growing believers. In personal or corporate worship, we do well to begin with praising the Lord for who He is and thanking Him for what He has done. Our praises beckon us into His presence. There we find ourselves humbled by the reality that God has given us the honor of being His children through Christ. In response, we humble ourselves before Him in sincere submission and grateful devotion. As David continued to worship with a thankful heart, he turned his thoughts to God’s great name. A person’s name said something about his or her character. When David wrote about God’s name, two traits of His character came into view. David had seen for himself that God loved him. He also knew from his personal walk with the Lord that God always told the truth. The Lord had shown David that He could be trusted to be faithful in His love and true to His word. The reliability of God’s great name had a powerful effect on David’s life. Because God took His name very seriously, His people could count on Him to keep His promise. David didn’t live with doubt casting a shadow over his relationship with God. He knew that if God made a promise, He would honor it without fail. Therefore, David learned how to abide in the assurance of God’s promise to him.



II. Thank God He Provides All We Need
Psalm 138:3-6

When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.


David experienced a season of life when his strength was gone. It appears to have been more than just a physical fatigue; his complaint seems to have stemmed from a spiritual or emotional weariness. It happened to David, and it can happen to us. Regardless of the cause, spiritual and emotional discouragements can leave even the strongest believers drained of strength.


Leonard: Is there a time when you cried out to the Lord and He answered with compassion, faithfulness, and mercy to provide what you needed?


Points: When we cry out to the Lord, He hears and responds. Our lives are made stronger through our relationship with Him. The Lord is great and glorious. If not now, the day will come when the whole earth will resound with praise and see the great glory of the Lord. God comes in love, grace, and power to the humble, but refuses the proud.


How David thanked God for His faithfulness.

[Verse 3] Along with God’s love and truth, we thank Him for providing what we need. David celebrated the faithfulness of the Lord to him when he asked for help. With his recollection of God’s answering his prayer, David reminded God’s people about the value of a long memory. Remembering how God provided made a huge difference to David. Not only did God meet his need, something else happened to him. By answering his prayer, God strengthened David spiritually to the point he could become extremely bold. His fierce courage came from his unbending assurance of the Lord’s provision. He knew he would have what he needed so he could carry on with God’s work each day. [Verse 4] Such a deep and abiding sense of assurance enabled David to serve the Lord in a day when the kings of surrounding nations worshiped idols. As David thought about them, he wrote about the anticipated day to come when the Lord would be the center of their worship and service too. He went on to be specific about what would make them turn to the Lord in complete devotion. They would be prompted to give themselves to the Lord once they encountered His promise for themselves. Instead of cold and empty silence from lifeless deities, they would experience profound hope in a relationship with the living God. [Verse 5] Just like David broke out in song over the Lord’s care for him, the kings in the surrounding nations would also sing about Him. Their song would center on God’s involvement in their lives and kingdoms. The Lord would work with them in ways that would result in their adoration of Him. God alone would be worthy of their praise. They would be captured by His intimacy as well as His majesty. As the kings of the earth came to the Lord and bowed in grateful worship before Him, they would affirm His greatness. They would exalt Him as the Lord. No other ruler would receive greater acclaim. They would refuse to cast the light on themselves or their kingdoms or their accomplishments. The light of glory would shine only on God, and He alone would be exalted. [Verse 6] The kings who sang about the Lord would agree on one aspect of His reign. He exerted sovereign rule over them and their kingdoms and looked with favor on people who walked in humility before Him. The lifeless deities they worshiped before they came to the Lord didn’t have hearts of compassion for humble people. But the Lord’s compassion prompted Him to reach down to help the humble. For God’s people, humility came to be an important feature of acceptable worship because they recognized His ultimate authority. But the Lord would not allow a person consumed by selfish pride to come into His presence. Kings expected everyone to bow before them in humility. The notion of being humble themselves would have been repugnant to them. A king who humbled himself before the Lord and sang praises to Him for His greatness would be difficult to find. Yet, David knew that any king who knew the Lord intimately would bow before Him in grateful humility.




III. Thank God that He Keeps and Protects Us.

Psalm 138:7-8

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.


King David understood political and personal insecurity. He was a warrior king who had enemies both inside and outside the borders of Israel. David walked “in the midst of trouble.” We might even say constant danger was his normal experience. The danger he faced was intense and unpredictable, yet David trusted God. For David, God’s protection was a matter of life or death. Trust in God is the basis of all prayer. When we pray with thankfulness, it is an expression of faith that God will fulfill His purposes for us.


Leonard: How have you experienced God’s protection?



Points:

· We are grateful to the Lord because He keeps and protects us from that which would destroy us and saves us to an abundant life in Him. The Lord has a plan for us that will fit into His eternal purpose. The love and mercy of the Lord is everlasting. We can count on the Lord. Period!





Express gratitude and trust in the One who hears our prayers.











[Verse 7] Our God provides for us, and He also keeps us and protects us. David drew us to that affirmation as He directed attention to God’s ways and our future. Fear did not factor into his life because he had learned to trust the Lord completely. Because he had been protected through some terribly dangerous events, David refused to live in fear so long as the Lord guarded his path. But notice that David brought up the anger of his enemies. Anger moved David’s enemies to take extreme measures. However, such measures did not succeed because God protected David. At times in David’s reign, he probably observed anger swelling in the hearts of his adversaries that could have provoked them to kill him. Of course, any attempt failed, and David made sure he expressed his gratitude to God for protecting him. When David incorporated the image of God’s hand, he had God’s awesome power in mind. Throughout the Old Testament, writers used the idea of God’s hand to describe His limitless strength and His ultimate authority. Writing about God’s right hand in this verse gave David the picture he needed to describe His tremendous strength. God’s peerless power insured victory for His people when He used it in their favor. [Verse 8] David’s statement about God’s vindication gives us confidence about what He’s doing in us. It brings to mind the instruction Jesus gave us in the Model Prayer. Jesus instructed us to pray with a heart of submission to the Father. (See Matt. 6:10.) Surrendering to God when we pray means we give up on building our own kingdoms. Instead, we devote ourselves to His kingdom and His will. When we take our devotion to Him seriously, we tap into an encouraging assurance. We rest assured that God has given us a purpose in keeping with His kingdom. When we live it out, we abide in His joy and contentment. Growing believers want to fulfill God’s purpose. Just as important, we trust God to work within us so His purpose for us can be fulfilled for His glory. Suddenly, David stopped writing about God and started talking directly to Him. Specifically, he focused his attention on God’s loyal love or mercy to His people. David lived with the abiding certainty that God’s unending love would be demonstrated in His faithfulness. God’s people could depend on Him to be at work in their lives, enabling them to fulfill His purpose for them. His unique love had a persevering quality that would make it extremely durable. Accordingly, His steadfast love for them would last longer than a lifetime. Once more, David brought up God’s hands. Earlier, he used the picture to describe God’s power to protect His people. Here, he incorporated the image to convey the truth about God’s initiative. Because the Lord loved His people faithfully, He would enable them to carry out His purpose. He would take the lead in their lives so they would not falter in carrying out His purpose. Thus, David asked the Lord to never allow them to leave His work unfinished. David didn’t want anything to stand in the way of God’s people fulfilling His purpose for them.




LIVE IT OUT

This lesson has reminded us of the faithfulness of God to respond to our cries for help, His willingness to reach out to us even though we are not worthy, and the plans He still has for our lives. Therefore, He is deserving of our praise and thanksgiving, and not just when we think about it or feel like it. We need to worship and praise Him every day.



Leonard: What do you want people to remember about you?





I. Thanks for His past goodness. The psalmist said he would sing praise to God “before the gods”. Scholars disagree over the meaning of this statement. Some believe he was referring to angels. Others say he was talking about kings. In light of the context, “before the gods” seems most likely. God had shown Himself superior to all false idols. While their promises had failed, the promises of the true God had proven true. The psalmist could praise Him in defiance of the false gods. He thanked God for His past blessings. He had answered the psalmist’s prayers. If David wrote this psalm, he had certainly experienced his fair share of tribulation. As he looked back on his life, he could see many instances in which God had taken care of him.


Do we thank God for what He’s done in the past?

a. His protection from harm.

b. His provision of various needs.

c. His salvation through Jesus Christ.



II. Thanks for His present goodness. The psalmist was confident that kings would give thanks to God. David was a king, and God had given him many victories. David was always quick to give God the glory. Other kings of the earth saw his victories, and he hoped they would recognize his God as the true God. He knew his God was different from the pagan idols. Though He is highly exalted, He cares for the lowly. “The proud he knows afar off” – In other words, the arrogant are not able to hide from Him (Proverbs 15:3). ‘’


How does God keep blessing us in the here-and-now?

1. He continues to love us in spite of our failures.

2. He has not only saved us, but He also keeps us (John 10:28-29).

3. He keeps blessing us, even when we don’t deserve it.


III. Thanks for His future goodness. The psalmist was confident of God’s continued protection. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble” – God had not promised us a life free of trouble. We still live in a fallen world, and thus we still experience sickness, injustice, tragedy, and death. In some ways, being a follower of Christ only increases your troubles (1 John 3:13). God has promised to be with us through our troubles. He will give us strength to endure. He uses hardships to accomplish His purposes (Romans 8:28). We can trust God because His lovingkindness is everlasting. Human affection is often fleeting.


God, on the other hand, will love us forever. He loves us even when we continue to fail Him. He has prepared an eternal home where we will enjoy His love forever.

Class Lesson November 18, 2018

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

He told me he hadn’t sinned in seven years. While sharing the gospel, I asked a man the simple question, “Have you ever committed a sin?” I’ve asked that question hundreds of times. Almost everyone readily admits they have. But I didn’t expect this man’s answer: “Yes, I have sinned, but not in seven years.”

Culture likes to rank sins and continually redefines what is a sin—and what is not. On an individual level, we do this too. Many of us even try to rationalize away our sin, coming up with a way to justify what we do as if to say it’s okay.

The fact is all of us have sinned, and we all need forgiveness. More than anyone who has ever lived, Jesus understands the depth of our sins. He willingly died to set us free from those very sins. In the Model Prayer Jesus taught us, He gave us the privilege of praying a prayer of confession. Jesus let His followers know we can come to Him anytime for forgiveness and renewal.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Matthew 6:12-13

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

We should not be surprised to learn confession of sin is a part of the Model Prayer; but we might be surprised it’s not the first thing on the list! The psalmist acknowledged that, if he held on to unconfessed sin, all his other prayers would be invalidated. “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Ps. 66:18).

As we’ve already seen, the Model Prayer begins with a focus on God and a desire to honor Him and live in line with His lordship and kingdom. (See Matt. 6:9-10.) When we focus on God, any unconfessed sin can also come into focus. As we turn to His lordship over us, we also turn from our sin. Prayer without regular confession could barely be considered true prayer.

Jesus never implied the act of prayer alone could atone for our sin. Our confession is not in any way comparable to Jesus’ death on the cross where He paid our penalty for sin once and for all. Confession is coming in repentance to the One who can atone for our sins.

The prayer of confession means we accept personal accountability for what we have done. When we come to God in prayer we’re not attempting to hide behind “fig leaves” (Gen. 3:7) as Adam and Eve did when they realized they’d done wrong and tried to cover themselves. Instead, we pray transparently, admitting our need for forgiveness. 

In the original language, the form of the verb translated forgive urges immediate action. It’s as if Jesus was urging us to pray, “Forgive us now!” We have a need to confess our sins without delay. The verb also indicates a completed action, which communicates that we desire forgiveness that is thorough. We never need to deal with the sin again because God’s forgiveness is final and complete.

Thankfully, God does forgive us in Christ once and for all, but we still face temptation and struggle with sin. Therefore, Jesus called us not just to pray for forgiveness, but also to pray: “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” We should ask God to help us avoid future sins by keeping us away from the areas of our most persistent temptations. We should ask God to lead us away from the things and places that tempt us. For sure, that does not imply God would ever lead us into temptation in the first place. Instead, we are honest in prayer by admitting we need God’s help to avoid the circumstances where we could be most compromised.

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:12-13). 

Psalm 51:1-7

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

God described David as “a man after my own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14); yet, a dark period in David’s life would be described today as a major scandal. (See 2 Sam. 11–12.) A reporter might present this as a story of a bored king who summoned one of his female citizens, engaged in an adulterous one-night stand, and then sent her home.

In due time Bathsheba sent word to the king she was pregnant with his child. What began as a private indiscretion escalated quickly into a much bigger problem. David’s sin would lead to a string of others, ultimately ending in murder. David then married the widow Bathsheba, convinced he had concealed the matter.

But God knew—and David knew. David had covered his sin from everyone but God and his own conscience. As he tried to suppress his guilt, his spiritual life dried up. When Nathan the prophet confronted David, the king responded by confessing, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam. 12:13).

David documented his confession in Psalm 51. It’s been said that “sin thrills and then it kills”—even if the only victim is the conscience of the sinner. If you extend the feeling of a dead conscience out across an entire culture, everyone becomes far from God and indifferent toward each other. Victimless sins do not exist. 

Jesus called us to do what David did: confess. To remedy the guilt and that feeling of always being unclean, Jesus told us to cry out to God in prayer, “Forgive us” (Luke 11:4). God wants us to acknowledge sin, confess it, turn from it, and be forgiven! 

Psalm 51:10-12

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

When King David committed adultery and murder, his life certainly went off course spiritually—and we can veer off God’s path for us in much the same way. Though we may not be guilty of the same sins as David, all of us have strayed from the path. The good news is God allows us to start over. We can begin again. That’s what happened for King David. He sought the Lord in prayer to find restoration.

David had a guilty conscience and he wanted a clean heart. He recognized the core of his problem was his heart. A new spiritual beginning always starts with an inward change.

David knew the change he needed was beyond his ability. Notice in verses 10-12 that all the things David mentioned are actions only God can do. Time with God in prayer teaches us to rely on Him for what He alone can do. Only God can cleanse and restore. In fact, nothing in the Christian life is done through “self-help.” We are to be faithful and obedient, but we are not to rely upon our own strength.

David also prayed for the Spirit’s continued ministry and presence in his life. He knew he would readily fail again without the Holy Spirit’s ongoing help. David was a leader, and perhaps his moral failure was magnified by the sense that he “should have known better.” Leaders need the Holy Spirit’s help just as much as everyone else. All of us are subject to temptation, and if we do not seek God and His supernatural help, we will fall.

So what made David a man after God’s own heart? It certainly wasn’t his sins and failures. It was his spirit and desire afterwards. David turned back to God wholeheartedly. He sought more than freedom from sin; he sought the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life. David desired a heart like God’s.

A heart like God’s can also be ours as we pray, “Forgive us our debts” (Matt. 6:12a).

LIVE IT OUT

Confession and repentance are needed steps to maintain our fellowship with God. Choose one of the following applications:

• Confess sin. Each time you pray, ask God to reveal any unconfessed sin. As God reveals things to you, turn from them, seek His forgiveness, and thank Him for His cleansing.                                                                                                                                                             
• Read. Read and pray through Psalm 51. Ask God to give you a renewed dependence upon Him.                                                                                                                                                                  
• Seek forgiveness. If others have been hurt by some sin you’ve committed, confess that sin to him and/or her and ask for forgiveness.

Prayer is the natural path to travel as we confess, repent, and seek God’s renewal. Let God’s forgiveness lead you to be a person after His own heart.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Teacher Notes:

HOW TO PRAY

A Prayer of Confession

Jesus taught His disciples how to pray using what we call the Model Prayer. He instructed them how to ask the Father to forgive and protect them. Psalm 51 serves as a fitting example of a prayer for forgiveness and restoration. King David wrote the psalm after Nathan confronted him about his sin. (See 2 Sam. 11–12.) In the psalm, David described his willingness to confess his sin and seek God’s forgiveness. He also prayed for spiritual renewal and restoration.

Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father in heaven

Hallowed be Your name

Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Why is forgiveness so important to us?

• Our greatest need is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Sin is what keeps us from that relationship. Even for the believer who has stepped into a relationship with Christ, sin can become a barrier in growing that relationship. 

King David – who was called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) – sinned. However, he also modeled for us what it means to come to God in confession and repentance.

Psalm 51

I. Confess sin and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Psalm 51:1-7

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.  Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.  Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

II. Seek restoration and renewal.

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

The NY Times reported something unusual that happened at 112 West 44th Street in Manhattan last year. Two women, Laura Barnett and Sandra Spannan, dressed in white, beckoned people to unburden their souls. Mrs. Barnett would silently flag the attention of someone passing by, and point them to words which had been stenciled on the glass, “Air Your Dirty Laundry. 100% Confidential. Anonymous. Free!”

She would extend a clipboard with a blank sheet of paper and an envelope stamped with the word “secret” to any takers. Hundreds took that clipboard. Executives and street people; couriers and secretaries; shoppers and joggers would pause to write down their sins and secrets, seal it in the envelope, and hand it to Laura Barnett. Meanwhile Mrs. Spannan would quietly paint the portraits of those who stop to divulge their inner secrets.

Once the person is well out of sight, the envelope is opened and the message taped to the glass for all to see. The portraits are posted as well. Those who come by read the confessions of strangers before adding their own. Some of them are silly; some of them are terrible.

“The hermit crab was still alive when I threw it down the trash shoot,” said one. “I want to see SUVS explode. Those people are so selfish,” wrote another. As the day progresses, the once empty glass of the store front is papered like a wall of guilt. “I am dating a married man and getting financial compensation in exchange for the guilt. I’m 25 and he’s a millionaire.” Or another that simply says, “I have AIDS.” (Kathryn Shattuck, "Artists Display Confessions of Passers-By on a 44th Street Storefront," The New York Times (May 6, 2006)

This little storefront experiment revealed many things, but the inescapable fact that surfaced across all generations, income levels, and social standings was that a lot of people are hiding. They are hiding from the police or parents. They are hiding from coaches and teachers. Some are hiding things from bosses, and others are hiding things from spouses. And many people today are hiding from God.

Tell me, am I talking about you? Sitting quietly, all is well on the outside; yet the words I am speaking are opening closets within. Some of us may be hiding something desperately shameful in our past. An abortion. A shady deal. That thing you stole. The adult theater you visited. The impure thoughts that are taking on more strength and are threatening to be played out. No one knows about the scheming, the lying, or the cheating. You cover isn’t blown. You haven’t been caught. But you know it’s there, and my friend, so does God.

There once was a man who blew it big time. He was an ancient king, super-rich and incredibly powerful. He was a smart leader, wise, and as godly as they come. His name is David. In a weak moment, King David of Israel was basically channel surfing on his palace roof on a hot spring night. He saw a woman named Bathsheba taking a bath. 

Just like pornography draws people in today, David was drawn in. It was Job who wisely said, I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then can I look lustfully upon a young maiden? (Job. 31:1) But David was not thinking about God or purity in that moment. He foolishly lingered and looked.

What he imagined, he demanded. He sent for her and committed adultery with her, even though he knows her husband was one of his loyal soldiers, on a military mission on behalf of David’s kingdom. A little while later, David received a message: “I’m pregnant.” Signed “B.” David immediately set to work hiding. He tried to cover his sin by getting her husband, Uriah, to take a leave from battle and come home to his wife. A few days at home between a loving couple and Uriah would conclude that the child was his.

The plot didn’t work. Uriah’s sense of duty was too strong. So, in a desperate maneuver David ordered Uriah’s murder, carefully designed to look like a battlefield tragedy. It was the perfect plan. Uriah would receive a hero’s funeral. David would look sympathetic in marrying the grieving widow. No one would question David’s actions. No one pried into his business. He got away with it. “Whew that was a close one!”

Several months later, a prophet named Nathan came to visit David and told him a carefully constructed story of treachery and theft. It’s recorded in 2 Sam. 12:1-6. Listen, I will retell it.

In one of the most stunning moments in Scripture, Nathan then says to David, "You are the man!” 

What happened next doesn’t happen in the chambers of kings and presidents. Plausible deniability, displacement of blame, attacking the critic, or some other tactic is the common method of operation when you’re caught. David did none of that. 2 Sam. 12:13 records that the king, in a moment of brokenness, simply said, "I have sinned against the LORD." 

Did David deserve to die for what he did? 

He had sex with another man’s wife, lied, betrayed, and murdered. David himself answers after Nathan’s story: As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die. Heart wrenching consequences would follow, striking not only David and Bathsheba, but innocent people as well who knew nothing of David’s sin.

This slice out of David’s life teaches us something very important: the very best of us fail. Like David, we all have something that we deeply regret, are ashamed of, are embarrassed about, something that has changed us.

Maybe you are wondering in a moment like this: How can I ever recover? How can I erase the guilt? How do I find courage and strength to deal with the consequences? Has God written me off? Well, now I want to take you to the rest of the story. David’s example is here to remind us that we’re all caught red-handed, no matter how well we camouflaged our sin. But he also shows us what happens after he blew it.

If you look at the heading of Psalm 51, you’ll see that it was written after Nathan confronted David with his sin. Like the people in Manhattan, David writes out his private confession down. But unlike those confessions offered to the people of New York, David offers his to God. And get this: His confessional prayer marks out five steps toward spiritual recovery that we can take today. These steps will put you in the spiritual position for God to do His work in your life again. Walk with David the sinner and you will find that God is closer than you think when you’ve blown it big time.

I. Take responsibility for your sin - v. 1-5

Notice that David doesn’t fall into the self-justifying trap of shifting the blame. He doesn’t say, “The devil made me do it,” or “I was just having a bad day.” He doesn’t point to Bathsheba for bathing on her rooftop or his general for obeying an order he knew was a bad one. He faces the music: it is my iniquity, my sin, my transgressions. David said, “I have twisted and perverted something good into something evil; I have taken aim at a false target; I have trespassed where I am not allowed.” Down in v. 5 he adds, “Indeed, I was guilty [when I] was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.” David believed in that he, like every human being, is born with a bent to sin. This isn’t just an external issue of bad behavior; it’s an internal issue of a nature that pushes for autonomy from God and craves sin. David believed he was bad to the bone. But he still doesn’t blame his choices on his mother, his heritage, or anyone else. He owns his own choices. He doesn’t try to cut a deal with God or negotiate with his consequences. He comes clean without conditions. In fact, he closes v. 4 by acknowledging to God, You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge. This is the first step toward breaking free of the past and renewing your walk with God. You can forget moving forward until this happens.

II. Come clean - v. 1-4

Don’t rationalize, minimize, excuse, or spin what you’ve done. Get real. David lived in denial for a while before he reached this point. Once he realized he hadn’t fooled God, he stopped playing games. These words we just read are desperate, gut-wrenching, offered by a man who seriously misses what he once knew with God.

What happens if you don’t do that - if you just stuff it down, lock it away, and pretend it never happened? 

Let David will tell you from personal experience. In Ps. 32:2-4, he writes, How happy is the man the LORD does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit! When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer's heat. David said, “I was a desert. I was all torn up. I was depressed, ached as though dying inside. The weight of my secret was killing me.” Steve Arterburn, a Christian psychologist and pastor, writes that there are really only three reason why you wouldn’t do this first step: a) You’re afraid of losing your reputation; b) You’re afraid of losing your favorite sin; or c) You’re afraid that it might cost you financially, emotionally, or relationally. I don’t know which excuse will keep you in your seat later when we call for honest confession, but if you’re counting the cost of staying silent properly, you’ll follow David’s example.

III: Ask for and receive God’s forgiveness - vv. 1-4, 6-9

Tucked into the first expressions of David’s confession we read, Be gracious to me, O God… blot out my rebellion…Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. When David cries out for mercy, he is appealing to God’s willingness. When he asks to be for sins to be erased and that he be washed and cleansed, he cries out for God’s work in him to be done. He wants what only God can accomplish - to be totally forgiven. This is amplified in v. 6-9, where David says, “Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Turn Your face away [a] from my sins and blot out all my guilt.

Hyssop was a little herb that the Jews would dip in blood for use in ritual cleansing. Sin cannot be forgiven without the shedding of blood. Right here, centuries before the cross, we find a veiled reference to Christ crucified. “God an innocent must shed blood for You to forgive me. I don’t understand all that means, but make me clean, whiter than new snow. That brings us to…

IV. Request a fresh work of God’s grace - vv. 10-12

Now clean, David wants to sense again what has not been there for a long time: the presence of God in his life. In v. 10-12, he prays, “God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast [b] spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.”

This is a prayer for gladness and freedom to be experienced. When you’re burning up time and energy covering sin, all joy is gone. God seems to be a million miles away. Your prayers don’t work. The Bible seems boring. Church feels dull. But once renewed, David pleads for God to flood him with joy and restore that eager obedience that once marked his motives.

Don’t be worried about v. 11. In the OT, the Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell believers. He came upon them for specific works that fit God’s purposes. David knew what happened to King Saul because of his sin and so wanted to be of use to God again. Pray w/ David, “Father, I want to fellowship with You again. Change me, renew me, transform me, make me willing again.” Spiritual recovery requires you to come clean, to take responsibility for your sin, to ask and receive God’s forgiveness, and pray for His presence and power to once more flow through your life. That brings us to the last step:

V. Resolve to use past failure for future ministry - vv. 13-15

Look at v. 13-15: “Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” This was David saying, “God I want to get back in the game. I want this to be useful for Your purposes so that I can say to someone thinking like I was thinking, ‘Man, it’s not worth it. I’ve been there and have the scars to prove it. There is a better way.”

A Psalm of Repentance: Biblical concept of Repentance.

The whole idea of repentance is at the center of the NT message. 

• John the Baptist: Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.
• Jesus’s ministry began with the same call to repentance.
• The Church: Faith and Repentance

Today, repentance has been all but lost in many evangelical circles of the gospel. We want to make it easy to come to Jesus. We underplay or all but hide the biblical mandate to repent.

In theology we make a distinction between – FAITH / REPENTANCE

In that effort to distinguish we sometimes go to the extreme and actually DIVORCE them all together. In biblical categories, even though they are distinguished they remain closely connected even inseparable. 

True FAITH always involves REPENTANCE & True REPENTANCE always involves FAITH.

Radio broadcast of a minister in Florida tell about a local church that was fast growing with a tremendous outreach program for teenagers. 

• Their youth leaders not married but living together.
• Their answer: “We are Christians but we didn’t say we were disciples.” (Not Followers)

Inconsistencies to lifestyle to professed faith. Evangelical Fruit Counts!

All you have to do: Raise your hands / Come forward and make a profession / Say the sinner’s prayer / Ask Jesus to come into your life

We’re not telling them the truth.

They never experienced authentic FAITH and they never REPENTED of their sin. So, they are not at all converted. Evangelists are fooled into thinking 50 people came forward tonight and were converted. When really only 50 people came forward.

Johnathan Edwards’ Sermon: A Warning to Professors

• Not teachers but those who had made a profession of FAITH.
• Difference between making a profession of FAITH and possessing that FAITH you profess.
• People who make outward professions of FAITH who get involved in the church but whose lifestyle remains unchanged.

Most frightening verse: Jesus at the end of the Sermon on the Mount gives a sobering Warning to the Professor.

• Lord, Lord – Away from Me, I never knew you!
• I went to church, preached, did missions…Jesus will say, “Who are you?”
• People claim to be Christians but really aren’t not.

What does this word REPENT mean?

• To change your mind. Original Greek same.

All you have to do: Change your mind about Jesus. Not a mere changing of your mind. Something has to happen at the very core of your being. You are turned upside down. Before you did this – and now you do this. Old ways are gone and New ways are now in Christ. 

Can’t be a real conversion without a TURNING!

We live in a day where people are burdened with GUILT – we try everything to alleviate it but there is ONLY ONE CURE FOR GUILT – FORGIVENESS!

Before you can have forgiveness, you must have REPENTANCE.