PLEASE BE A BLESSING TO US!

Roof Contribution Announcement

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

New Bethel AME Church is asking for your assistance, as we continue to maintain our local assembly for a place of fellowship and worship.  We have a goal to obtain funding to replace our roof by the end of this calendar year.  We are asking you to partner with us in making a monthly or one-time donation.  There are multiple ways to make your contribution.  Please feel free to give online via New Bethel’s website (place website here), via the donate icon, Givelify, or mail your contribution to the address listed below. Please add the comment ‘roof donation’. We appreciate your continued efforts.

 

 

Sunday School Lesson

October 6

Lesson 6 (KJV)

Obedient Faith

 

Devotional Reading: Hebrews 8:1–12

Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1–14; 5:1–21

 

Deuteronomy 4:1–8, 12, 13

1. Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.

2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

3. Your eyes have seen what the Lord did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you.

4. But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day.

5. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

6. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

7. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

8. And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
9. And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

13. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

 

Key Verse

Keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.—Deuteronomy 4:2b

 

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. List Moses’ reasons for obeying God’s commandments.

2. Explain the importance of the Ten Commandments for the New Testament era.

3. Plan one way to obey God more fully in the week ahead.

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Baalpeor	Bay-al-pe-or.
Kadeshbarnea	kay-desh-bar-nee-uh.
Moabite	Mo-ub-ite.
Shittim	Shih-teem.
Sumerian	Sue-mer-ee-un.

Introduction

1. Damaging Rule-Givers

Trauma-based research has discovered that when children are exposed to chronic distress, their developing brains adapt by becoming more alert to deal with future threats. The brain constructs new neural pathways to allow the child to consistently scan his or her environment for impending danger. The amygdala, the part of the brain that manages the fight-or-flight response, is placed on permanent high alert.

One of the prices of this self-protection is a decreased attention span. Focusing on a teacher’s lesson or a book becomes difficult. This problem becomes semipermanent, tending to last into adulthood.

Our heavenly Father is nothing like a dangerous parent who changes rules randomly on a whim. Scripture says there is no “shadow of turning” with God (James 1:17). Our history with God provides us with confidence in His current dealings with us. And through the gift of His Word, we are given clear instruction on how we can please Him. We face many anxious moments, but living with a capricious God is not one of them.

1. Lesson Context

During their 400 years of slavery (Genesis 15:13), Abraham’s offspring must have felt like spiritual orphans. Israel had been exposed to a myriad of deities, none of whom cared for them. These so-called gods were vested only in the fortunes of the Egyptians.

Spiritual anxiety wasn’t unique to these slaves. The ancient Near East was crowded with deities, each with his or her own temperament and character flaws. Sharing a world with unpredictable gods was a source of stress for those who seemed to be suffering without reason. For instance, an ancient Sumerian had fallen on dark days. In his desperate prayer, found by archaeologists, he pleads to know how he had offended which god and what could be done to appease the god.

The book of Deuteronomy contains none of that cosmic angst. Moses wrote the majority of the book toward the end of his life, decades after God’s character was revealed to Israel. The book is an anthology of Moses’ sermons meant to remind the next generation of their history with God and what God expected of them. Moses alternated between narrative passages and exhortations that outline how Israel should respond to God in light of His faithfulness.

One of the devices that Moses uses in his sermons is borrowing from the legal language of “suzerainty treaties.” In the ancient Near East, a king would enter into a covenant (treaty) with his people by first outlining examples of his greatness. The king would then outline the terms of the treaty. He would offer the people his continuing protection and just rule. In return, the people would offer their loyalty, which was expressed through their obedience to the king’s laws. Moses uses these treaties to teach Israel about the type of covenant loyalty God wanted with Israel.

In Deuteronomy 1, Moses picked up Israel’s history at a point of catastrophic failure: Israel refused to trust God and take the land, despite God’s faithfulness to deliver them from Egypt. Moses then recounted the wilderness years, in which God’s people wandered the desert until the disobedient generation passed away. He transitioned from recounting Israel’s history (Deuteronomy 1–3) into an exhortation regarding the importance of Israel’s keeping the terms of God’s covenant (chapter 4). It’s against the backdrop of Israel’s continual struggle to trust God that Moses charges them to obey the covenant.

1. Obedient History

(Deuteronomy 4:1–4)

1. Brings Blessings (v. 1)
2. Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.

Now connects Moses’ first exhortation to Deuteronomy 1–3. He prescribes a course for Israel’s current behavior based on God’s past history with His people. Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the wilderness were the direct result of not trusting God to keep His promise to give Abraham land for the people to dwell in (Genesis 12:1–3; Deuteronomy 1:32–36; 2:14, 15; 3:21–29). This distrust festered until it became overt rebellion (1:26–46). Yet God’s actions toward Israel demonstrate His fidelity to the covenant with Abraham (7:8) even when the people were unfaithful.

In light of their blemished history, Moses implores Israel to listen. This is not in the passive sense of merely taking in information but in the active sense of becoming aware of God’s will and then responding to it with obedience (Leviticus 18:4, 5; Romans 10:5).

Statutes refer to the laws given by a king that prescribe boundaries for his subjects to observe. These statutes order society, outlining how the people should function together. Judgments refers to laws based on historical precedent, what we call “case law” today. Moses pairs these two concepts frequently in Deuteronomy to refer to the totality of God’s revelation to Israel since the time of the exodus until God spoke to them at Kadeshbarnea (Deuteronomy 4:1, 5, 8, 14, 45; 5:1, 31; 6:1, 20, 21; 7:11; 11:32; 12:1; 26:16, 17).

Moses identifies himself as the teacher of the law and not its originator because the law was given by God. Israel will enjoy the benefits of covenant obedience if they heed Moses’ instructions, namely enjoying the promised land that God pledged to Abraham (Deuteronomy 30:15–20).

What Do You Think? How will you go about identifying some personal areas where greater trust in God’s directions could lead to a life more abundant? Digging Deeper Should you be concerned that greater trust in God might look like a step backward to an unbeliever? Why, or why not?

1. Brings Standards (v. 2)
2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 4:2 can be considered Moses’ tamper-proof clause regarding the law (compare Joshua 1:7; Jeremiah 26:2). The non-tampering clause is a common feature of suzerainty treaties that inform how Moses composes his sermons (see Introduction). A king uses a non-tamper clause to remind the masses that he alone sets the terms of the covenant. There is no negotiation or collaboration. In the same way, God alone sets the terms of the covenant.

Moses is God’s sole interpreter of the law at this time. No other explanation of God’s law but Moses’ is to be considered normative in Israel. Moses isn’t selfishly consolidating his power; he merely mediates God’s terms to Israel as he was called to do. When Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses’ position as God’s spokesperson (Numbers 12), Moses didn’t speak in his own defense. Instead, Moses spoke to intercede on behalf of his rebellious family members. Thus, Moses reiterates the goal of his instruction again: the Israelites are to keep the commandments of God. Consequences will follow when they do not.

While it’s true that this no-tamper clause is specific to God’s covenant with ancient Israel (see Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:6), we find a similar clause in Revelation 22:18, 19. The new covenant, revealed by God through His Son, renews the non-tamper clause. Jesus is Lord and sets the terms of the covenant. It’s up to us as His people to keep obeying the covenant as it was offered to us, not as we see fit.

What Do You Think? What safeguards can we adopt to ensure that we honor God’s Word in situations that the Bible does not specifically address? Digging Deeper Would you adopt different safeguards depending on whether the situation involved unbelievers? Why, or why not?

Amending the Law

In 1787, delegates met in Philadelphia to create a framework for the U.S. government that would replace the Articles of Confederation. As satisfactory as this manuscript appeared, members of the Constitutional Convention recognized that the document would have to change over time. Therefore, they needed a provision for amending the U.S. Constitution.

Article V of their document did just that with one very long sentence. It reads, in part,

The Congress … shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or … shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution.

Since it came into force in 1789, more than 11,000 amendments to the U.S. Constitution have been proposed. Only 27 of these have been ratified. The U.S. Constitution is a human document and needs to be altered on occasion. The Law of Moses, being of divine origin, is rightly forbidden any amendments (compare Revelation 22:18, 19). How do you resist the urge to do so?

—J. E.

1. Brings Consequences (vv. 3, 4)
2. Your eyes have seen what the Lord did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you.

Next, Moses refers to the nation’s most recent failure when they sojourned at Shittim (Numbers 25:1–9; Psalm 106:28). Several Israelites indulged in sexual immorality with the women of neighboring Moab. These immoral relationships led to worship of and sacrifices to the false gods of the Moabites. God responded by ordering the execution of all those who knelt before Baalpeor, a regional god the Israelites were wrongly worshipping.

4. But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day.

Everyone who maintained their covenant fidelity to God, while others ran after Moabite women and their god, is still standing and listening to Moses as he speaks. Even before the blessings and curses are presented in Deuteronomy 28–31, the premium that God places on covenant obedience is evident. God rewards obedience and judges rebellion.

Moses views the Shittim event as a template for the nation to use to interpret their future choices. Soon they will be entering Canaan and again face the temptation of being corrupted by their idol-worshipping neighbors. Obedience will yield life; disobedience, death.

1. Obedient Future

(Deuteronomy 4:5–8)

1. Invites Blessings (vv. 5, 6)
2. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

Moses opens his second argument as to why the congregation should obey God’s law by reiterating the information covered in Deuteronomy 4:1, above. God has commanded Moses to teach the nation the scope of these statutes and judgments so the nation will obey God. Obedience makes them eligible to enjoy the blessing of the covenant: the promised land.

The effect of this repetition is to emphasize how vitally important it is for Israel to obey God’s covenant. In Deuteronomy 4:1–4, this necessity is expressed by reminding Israel of God’s justice. He honors covenant faithfulness, but judges those who break their treaty with Him. In the verse at hand, obedience will lead the faithful to inhabit the land just as God has promised.

6. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Moses begins to lay out his second rationale for the Israelites’ future obedience to God’s covenant: they will become an object of curiosity among the surrounding nations. Those people will observe Israel’s being governed by God and notice their wisdom and understanding. Israel’s neighbors will see God’s people prosper, begin to inquire as to the cause of their well-being, and become aware of the source of Israel’s strength. The impact of obedience will transcend Israel’s borders.

What Do You Think? What are some practical ways to be an example of one who keeps God’s Word in situations it specifically addresses? Digging Deeper In what ways do passages such as John 13:1–17; Romans 2:17–24; and 2 Corinthians 6:3–10 shape your response?

1. Indicates Intimacy (v. 7)
2. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Moses develops his second appeal: God’s nearness is the source of their greatness in comparison to any other nation (see Exodus 19:5, 6; 1 Peter 2:9, 10). Centuries later, when Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, he will taunt them by suggesting that their god is out of the country on business (1 Kings 18:27). None of the other so-called gods offer the gift of closeness as does Yahweh with His people. As mentioned in the lesson Introduction, this lack of connection between a deity and the worshipper could become a source of spiritual anxiety, as demonstrated by the reaction of the prophets of Baal to Elijah’s mockery (vv. 28, 29).

God’s dealings with His people after Egyptian bondage emphasize His closeness to Israel. The cloud and pillar of fire were symbols of God’s personal leadership in guiding Israel through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21, 22). However, for Moses the gift of the law and its accessibility is another lasting sign of God’s nearness to his people. Moses will later argue the importance of God’s revealing His will through his commandments (Deuteronomy 30:15, 16). His law isn’t hidden in the heavens or beyond the sea (30:12, 13). Instead, God reveals His will so it will be continually in the Israelites’ speech and hearts (Deuteronomy 6:5–9; compare Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). The closeness of God, as demonstrated through the accessibility of His commandments, should provoke Israel to obedience (Deuteronomy 30:14).

1. Invokes Praise (v. 8)
2. And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

These words could easily come from the mouth of the Queen of Sheba when she visits King Solomon to test his wisdom (1 Kings 10:1–13). The queen will test Solomon’s wisdom by confronting him with a battery of riddles. Unable to stump him, she will acknowledge the source of his wisdom: the Lord God. God will give Solomon this wisdom so that the king can discern good from evil and lead his people in God’s ways (3:1–14).

So according to Moses, Israel’s international fame will not be found in the size of the nation’s armies or in great wealth but in the law found within the covenant God enacted. Why? Because those laws are supernaturally received from the one true God (Exodus 19; 20). As such, each law contained within is perfect and just. Conforming to these rules leads the people into a harmonious relationship with God and each other. No other nation can boast the same origin of their laws, nor can they boast that their laws are of equal benefit. God’s laws will make Israel unique among all nations, but only if Israel obeys.

Signs for Safety

The Angels on Track Foundation (AOTF) is an organization promoting railroad safety. In a 2006 report, the AOTF argued that the installation of automated gates equipped with flashing lights has been the predominant reason that casualties at railroad crossings have steadily declined over the years. Yet only 26 percent of the nation’s public crossings had been equipped with gates at the time of the report. The AOTF blamed the shortfall on the fact that racing to beat a train is obviously dangerous, so motorists are to blame for the vast majority of incidents. Why spend the money to save those who engage in self-destructive behavior?

While laws are often viewed as bothersome restrictions, the Bible presents a different view. Like flashing lights and crossing gates at railroad crossings, the law of God is a blessing for humankind. His clear statement of divine morality is an undeniable act of grace. How will you celebrate God’s laws?

—J. E.

What Do You Think? Without quoting Scripture, how would you respond to someone who views God’s rules as oppressive, unfair, and/or irrelevant to modern life? Digging Deeper How will your response to a sincere seeker of truth differ from your response to someone who merely wants to argue?

III. Reasons to Obey

(Deuteronomy 4:12, 13)

1. Divine Voice (v. 12)
2. And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

Moses presents the grounds for his final appeal as to why Israel should obey the covenant: God himself initiates and authors the covenant. He rescued the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 2:23–25; 3:7–10). He led them to Mount Sinai, where He ignited the fire from which He proclaimed the terms of the treaty (19:18). Since God revealed himself in fire as a voice and not through the similitude of a human agent (19:19), there can be no confusion regarding the origin of the law.

1. Divine Hand (v. 13)

13a. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments;

Moses describes in more specific terms how the covenant was received. He associates the covenant with the ten commandments that God revealed to Israel in Exodus 20. These commandments serve as the basis against which all other laws in Israel must be measured. They serve as the bedrock principles that outline covenant living, which other laws will expand on. In fact, most of the civil laws found in Deuteronomy should be viewed as case laws that apply these 10 commandments to precedents that will come to be in the life of the nation.

13b. And he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

Moses closes his argument regarding the covenant’s divine authorship: not only did God speak the terms of the covenant, He also engraved them in stone. In the ancient Near East, it is customary for two copies of a covenant to be given to each party to remind them of the terms of the agreement (Esther 3:14; 8:13; Jeremiah 32:11). Deuteronomy 10:1–5 notes that both copies of the Ten Commandments are stored in the ark of the covenant. These two sets of tablets are a permanent reminder that God initiated the covenant. By implication, the only proper response is obedience.

What Do You Think? In what ways might your faith-walk improve, were you to focus a week’s devotional reflection on God’s power? Digging Deeper How can we balance time spent reflecting on God’s power, love, grace, etc.?

Conclusion

1. Perfect Rule-Giver

The three arguments that Moses made to persuade his people to obey the covenant apply to God’s people today. First, Moses reminded Israel that God blesses obedience and punishes disobedience (see Deuteronomy 30:15–20). Similarly, Jesus described himself as the true vine. Believers who keep His commandments (John 14:15) are like fruitful branches, while those who will not abide in Him are like dry branches that are torn off and thrown into the fire (15:1–17). While obedience doesn’t secure our salvation, it is evidence that we are redeemed (James 2:14–26).

Moses’ second argument was that obedience to the covenant made Israel special among the nations. The nations would see the way Israel prospered and discover that it was because of the righteous and just laws that God provided them. We all are familiar with personal testimonies of friends who were won over to Christianity because they observed a believer living with the conviction that God is real and that He has a knowable will. Conversely, we’re all too familiar with stories of ministers whose actions have brought contempt to the name of Christ. It’s vitally important that we keep God’s law. By observing God’s good laws, we draw attention to the author of those laws.

Finally, we share Moses’ conviction that we should obey God’s laws because they are of divine origin (compare 2 Peter 1:20, 21). Because the commandments were authored by a holy and loving God, given to us for our benefit, our only faithful response is to bow our knees and submit to the gracious terms of the covenant that God has provided.

1. Prayer

God, thank You for Your perfect commandments! May we submit ourselves to them as Your Son, Jesus, would have us to. We pray this in His name. Amen.

1. Thought to Remember

The nature of God’s law compels obedience.

KID’S CORNER

Jesus Will Complete His Plan for Us

Sunday, October 6, 2019

John 1:35-42

John 1:35-42

(John 1:35) Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,

The day before “the next day,” John the Baptist told his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God and the Son of God. And he told them how the Holy Spirit had confirmed these facts. As the Lamb of God, Jesus would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). In Matthew 1:21, the angel of the Lord emphasized this fact when he appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him about Mary: “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” In John 1:34, John the Baptist said, “And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” In Luke 1:35, “The angel said to Mary, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” Though Jesus came as the long-expected Messiah and fulfilled the Scriptures, from the first the gospels emphasize two facts about Jesus’ work in our world that do not contain the political and messianic aspirations of the Jews at that time. From the beginning, the Gospels declare that Jesus is the Son of God who will take away the sin of the world. More than anything else, more than another political leader, in Jesus’ day and in our day we all need Jesus working in our lives and taking away our sin and sinfulness with the power of the Son of God. Jesus came to save us from our sins, and sins are destroying our world. The world needs Jesus to do what He came to do and is still doing. In the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus will work within those who receive Him and believe in Him until He returns to our world as the glorified Messiah and visible King of kings. By John “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” John was preparing his believers and disciples to receive Jesus and what Jesus came to do (Mark 1:4). No wonder John could never have explained to some investigators from the Pharisees what he had been teaching his disciples and the repentant crowds who came to him for baptism. The two disciples with John the Baptist “the next day” knew these facts and more. The two disciples were Andrew and most probably John the Apostle, who wrote this Gospel.

(John 1:36) and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

Notice: when John stated to his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God, they knew that they needed what Jesus came primarily to give to our world more than they needed a new king in Jerusalem. A disciple is a student, and as students of John the Baptist they knew the right emphasis that John had placed on the Lord that he was preparing believers to follow. The Lamb of God is the Sacrifice of God, though they did not yet know what that would mean until they became disciples of Jesus and saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross. Later, as an apostle, John wrote in his letters about Jesus: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” and “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:2 & 4:10).

(John 1:37) The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

When these two disciples learned that Jesus was the answer to their problems with sin, that repentance and baptism were not the end of their quest for spiritual wholeness, but only prepared them to receive what Jesus came to give as the Lamb of God, they left John immediately and followed Jesus. They were the first to do what John prepared his listeners to do. John humbly proclaimed the coming of Jesus, and later declared about Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

(John 1:38) And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?”

The truths John and Andrew had learned about Jesus inspired them to follow Jesus, and they had learned these truths from a man filled with the Holy Spirit. Sharing the truths in the Bible about Jesus will influence some people to want to learn more about Jesus and become His disciples. Jesus knew He would call John and Andrew to be His apostles someday in the future, but first they needed to become His students, His disciples. When Jesus saw them following Him, He knew what they were looking for, but He wanted them to answer the question. Later, John explained why Jesus did not trust everyone who came to Him and said they believed in His name. In John 2:24-25, John wrote, “But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.” Notice: Jesus did not ask, “Who are you looking for?” or “Who do you seek?” They could have answered the Messiah or the Son of God or the Lamb of God, for Jesus is all three. Rather, Jesus asked, “What are you looking for?” or “What do you seek?” What do most people seek from Jesus? Andrew and John wanted Jesus to be their Teacher. They addressed Jesus as “Teacher.” They sought to be taught by and about Jesus. They wanted to learn more about Jesus from the One that John had told them they needed to prepare themselves to meet. They wanted to spend time with Jesus to learn from Jesus; therefore, they asked Jesus, “Where are you staying?” The Holy Spirit inspired John to write his Gospel for people who truly wanted to learn about and from Jesus. To do so, people must spend time with Jesus reading the Bible and the Holy Spirit will use the truth of the Bible to teach them. They also need to spend time with others who love Jesus. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we read, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

(John 1:39) He *said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

At Jesus’ invitation, they went with Him and saw where He was staying. The “next day” would have begun a sundown, at about 6:00 pm; therefore, they may have spent 2 hours with Jesus before going back to their homes and families. The next “next day” begins with John 1:43. Within two hours, they learned that Jesus was everything John had proclaimed about Him and much more. John does not tell us the content of their conversation, but John will teach what he learned about and from Jesus during his time with Jesus during Jesus’ public and private ministry, and he will reveal more of Jesus’ specific teachings about sin and Jesus as the answer to our problems with sin.

(John 1:40) One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

Simon Peter and Andrew were fishermen, and Jesus later met with them again while they were fishing in the Sea of Galilee. After they learned more about Jesus as His disciples, Jesus called them to serve Him as apostles (see Matthew 10:2).

(John 1:41) He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).

After learning about Jesus from both John the Baptist and Jesus, Andrew went to tell his brother Simon that they had found the Messiah. Notice the Apostle John wrote his Gospel (which means “Good News”) for both Jews and Gentiles: he carefully translated words from the Aramaic or Hebrew language to the Greek language when needed. “Anointed” can mean “Christ” or “King.” Jesus Messiah means the same as Jesus Christ and King Jesus. Since the Messiah was long-expected by the Jews, and Simon knew the meaning of “Messiah” as well as the prophecies and the expectations about the Messiah (he may have been a disciple of John the Baptist too), Andrew called Jesus “Messiah” instead of “Lamb of God,” which at first would have probably required much explanation to Peter. Andrew told Peter what he had learned, and that was enough for Peter to want to meet Jesus and learn more about Jesus from Jesus. Sometimes just telling someone what we have learned about Jesus from the Bible will be used by the Holy Spirit to lead them to seek Jesus and trust in Jesus.

(John 1:42) He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

After Andrew brought his brother to Jesus, Jesus began to have many meetings with them as their Teacher. Sometimes He would even call them from their fishing to follow Him and learn something new from what He intended to show them as He helped others. Sometimes Jesus would meet with His disciples in the home of Simon and Andrew and heal people (Mark 1:29). Jesus gave Simon the name Peter, which showed Peter and others how He could change a person into the type of person they never thought they could become. “Peter” means “Rock.” We learn from John that the disciples followed Jesus thinking He was the Messiah, but Peter was the first disciple to call Jesus “the Son of the living God.” In Matthew 16:16-17, we read, “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.’” We learn from Jesus changing Peter into “the rock” how Jesus can change any of His disciples into people they never thought they could become. The Apostle Paul is another example of how Jesus can change anyone enslaved to sin into good, faithful, loving and courageous followers of Jesus.

 

Jesus Will Complete His Plan for Us

Sunday, October 6, 2019

John 1:35-42

 

 

And he [Andrew] brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:42—KJV)

He [Andrew] brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). (John 1:42—NASB) He [Andrew] brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). (John 1:42—NRSV) Simon Peter has the reputation for being impetuous,   Courageous or cowardly at times, and a tempter to turn Jesus from His mission. When Jesus first met Simon, Jesus saw Simon as the person Simon would eventually become as one of His disciples. Therefore, Jesus called Simon “Cephas,” which means “Peter,” and is interpreted as “Stone” or “Rock.” After Peter was the first disciple to tell Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:16-17). Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Son of the living God became the foundation upon which Jesus the Messiah would build His

Church. But then, on the very night Jesus was betrayed and arrested, three times Peter denied he knew Jesus. Still, Jesus saw Peter for the person Peter would become after He completed His work in him. So, Jesus forgave Peter and told him,

“Feed me sheep” (John 21:17). Then, on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus filled Peter and the other disciples with the Holy Spirit and Peter began to be one of Jesus’ most faithful witnesses whether before large crowds, or on trial before religious authorities, or chained in prisons. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, Jesus sees us for the person He will eventually make us after He forgives us, makes us clean, and fills us with His Spirit. Believers should never give up hope in Jesus, for Jesus is not yet finished with us or others.

 

Thinking Further

Jesus Will Complete His Plan for Us

Sunday, October 6, 2019

John 1:35-42

Name __________________________________

1. Why do you think John emphasized to his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God?

2. Do you think people need the Lamb of God today? Why or why not?

3. When you come to Jesus, what are you looking for? Think of three things you would like to have from Jesus.

4. To be disciples of Jesus, what do people need to do?

5. Jesus changed Simon into Peter, the “rock.” What are three ways Jesus can change His disciples today?

Discussion and Thinking Further

1. Why do you think John emphasized to his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God? The Holy Spirit and John knew that everyone’s major problem in life is their own personal sins and the sins of others around them. A change of people’s direction from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness is needed more than changes in political leaders.

 

2. Do you think people need the Lamb of God today? Why or why not? Yes. Our primary problems are the same today as in days past. Because more people reside on the earth today and we have more means and varieties of ways to abuse, destroy, and sin against ourselves and others we need the Lamb of God to change peoples’ lives even more today.

 

3. When you come to Jesus, what are you looking for? Think of three things you would like to have from Jesus. To be taught by Him and conformed to His image. Three personal responses.

 

4. To be disciples of Jesus, what do people need to do? They need to receive Him and believe in Him as the Bible reveals Him. They need the Holy Spirit to indwell them and help them understand and apply what the Bible teaches, especially the New Testament.

 

5. Jesus changed Simon into Peter, the “rock.” What are three ways Jesus can change His disciples today? Jesus can cleanse them and fill them with His Spirit and His love. Jesus can give them the courage and wisdom to witness for Him in the right way and in the right time. Jesus can give them the gift of eternal life now and forever in the Kingdom of God.

Word Search

Jesus Will Complete His Plan for Us

Sunday, October 6, 2019

John 1:35-42

Name __________________________________

 

 

B D E W O L L O F C T A H W T

H F T F G Q V Q Y O D N T S Z

U B Z V I Y G X S W K G E J M

X J E S U S F I N J X L E K T

L E Y J C W M G K F P S B A F

V F M G E O C R B I U C E U L

R E Y O N I E E C S B O H C Q

M J W J C T Y S P U N F G W R

O A H R E O I B W H G Q X F T

V Q E P A D K E U F A O C H C

Y P R Y T B R X V Z L S D P J

B E E S L D B U Y D B W B I G

U M O T N S F I X K M Y T Q L

B J A A O H W O E F I U A M D

D W R L G T E A C H E R V J V

Disciples

Followed

Jesus

Lamb

God

Rabbi

Teacher

What

Where

Come

See

Andrew

Simon

Cephas

Peter

True and False Test

Jesus Will Complete His Plan for Us

Sunday, October 6, 2019

John 1:35-42

Name _____________________________

 

Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.

 

1. As they watched Jesus walk by, John exclaimed, “Look, here is the

Messiah!” True or False

2. John told Andrew that he was disappointed that he was leaving his band of disciples to follow someone else so quickly. True or False

3. When two disciples heard John call Jesus “the Lamb of God,” they followed Jesus. True or False

4. When Jesus saw two of John’s disciples following Him, He was puzzled and asked them, “What are you looking for?” True or False

5. The two disciples of John called Jesus “Rabbi,” (which translated means Teacher). True or False

6. When the two disciples asked Jesus where He was staying, He told them, “Come back here tomorrow and I will show you.” True or False

7. After the two disciples talked to Jesus, Andrew went to find his brother, Simon son of John. True or False

8. Andrew told Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” True or False

9. When Simon heard Andrew say he had found the Messiah; he could not believe his ears. True or False

10. Jesus called Simon “Cephas,” which translated means “Peter” and “stone.” True or False

 

 

True and False Test Answers

 

1. False
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. True
9. False

     10.True

 

Prayer

God, thank You for Your perfect commandments! May we submit ourselves to them as Your Son, Jesus, would have us to. We pray this in His name. Amen.