Sunday School Lessons
October 3
Lesson 5 (KJV)
PRAISE GOD WITH JOY
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 100
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Psalm 100
PSALM 100
A Psalm of praise.
1. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
KEY TEXT
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.—Psalm 100:3
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Describe the structure of a psalm of praise.
2. Evaluate the basis for joyous praise.
3. List ways he or she can live that honor God as king.
HOW TO SAY IT
Davidic
Duh-vid-ick.
Mosaic
Mo-zay-ik.
Yahweh (Hebrew)
Yah-weh.
Introduction
A. Worthy of Song
One database of hymns and hymnals on the internet lists over 240 hymns and songs whose lyrics reflect phrases from Psalm 100. Among these are “All People Who on Earth Do Dwell,” Isaac Watts’s “Before Jehovah’s Awesome Throne,” and Mozart’s “Jubilate Deo.” An arrangement of “Old Hundredth” was composed by Ralph Vaughn Williams to be performed in 1953 as the processional hymn for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England. The attraction of Psalm 100 no doubt derives from its concise yet robust summons to joyful praise to God and its eloquent rationale for doing so.
B. Lesson Context: The Book(s) of Psalms
The book of Psalms is actually a collection of five books or sections. Most Bibles note these book divisions (often with Roman numerals) at the beginnings of Psalms 1; 42; 73; 90, and 107. Altogether these five books feature 150 poems. Psalm 100, today’s text, is found in the fourth of these five books. Many scholars consider this section of Psalms (that is, Psalms 90–106) to be the answer to the problem presented in the first three books: the Davidic dynasty established (Psalm 2; see lesson 6 on Psalm 9); the flourishing of that dynasty (Psalm 72); and the failure of that dynasty (Psalm 89; see also lesson 8 on Psalm 84). The emphasis in Book IV of Psalms is simply God reigns! (see Psalms 93; 96–99).
Here, finally, the problem presented in the first three books is stated. Human kings may disappoint us, but God is our ultimate king, and He reigns forever. He is the king who, through Moses, led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.
In this light, Book IV of Psalms has something of a Mosaic flavor (notice that the superscription of Psalm 90 attributes it to Moses). Book IV ends with two views of the wilderness wandering: God’s viewpoint (Psalm 105) and Israel’s viewpoint (Psalm 106). The former is about God’s faithfulness to the covenant promises, while the latter is about Israel’s sinfulness and failure to obey God and keep the covenant.
C. Lesson Context: Psalm 100 Psalm
100 is a brief poem that speaks to the proper response of the people of God to Him. The ancient Israelites may have sung this psalm during the feast of ingathering (Exodus 23:16b; 34:22b), also called the feast of tabernacles (example: Deuteronomy 31:10). This annual seven-day observance celebrated the fall harvest and the completion of the agricultural year. It had historical significance as well, in that it commemorated the Lord’s protection during Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:33–36, 39–43; Deuteronomy 16:13–15; Nehemiah 8:13–18).
The organization of Psalm 100 is a variation on the standard psalm structure known as the hymn, or praise, psalm. The standard structure consists of a summons to praise the Lord followed by reasons for that praise. This type of psalm first appears in Exodus 15:21 as Miriam and the women of Israel sang (see lesson 1). The author of Psalm 100 varied this pattern by using two invitations to praise (100:1–2, 4), each followed by a motivation for praise (100:3, 5). Conspicuous in Psalm 100’s design are seven commands. The fourth command occupies the central position in the psalm (see Psalm 100:3a, below). And although Psalm 100 does not explicitly celebrate God as king, it nevertheless shares some affinity with another type of psalm known as divine kingship psalms. Such psalms speak of the Lord’s rule over the cosmos or nations.
Many psalms have superscriptions. These often include information regarding the historical circumstances of the psalm, the name of the writer, etc. The superscription of Psalm 100 does not indicate the author’s identity. The date of its composition is also unclear. Alluding to temple structures would be appropriate in both the pre-exilic era (that is, before the destruction of Solomon’s temple in 586 BC) and in the post-exilic era after the temple was rebuilt (515 BC; see Psalm 100:4, below).
However, given the context of Book IV, in which Psalm 100 is located, we can surmise that this particular poem was meant to be associated more closely with Moses than with other writers or prophets (see the superscription of Psalm 90; compare Psalm 100:2, below). Psalm 100 is the only psalm with a superscription that reads, “A Psalm of praise.”
I. A Call to All
(PSALM 100:1–2)
A. Come with Joy (v. 1)
1a. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD.
The command to make a joyful noise appears in exactly the same Hebrew phrasing in only two places: here and in Psalm 98:4. To these we can compare Psalms 66:1; 81:1; and 95:1, which are similar. This is a call to unhindered praise.
The Hebrew word behind the translation noise is translated as “shout” in Psalm 47:1, and that is the added sense here. This attests that the psalmist expects volume and excitement (compare also translations of triumphal cries in Psalms 41:11; 60:8; and 108:9). Such shouts could be accompanied by the clapping of hands (47:1), singing (98:4), and instruments (98:5–6).
The Lord is never referred to with explicitly royal language in the psalm we are studying. Even so, the call matches the worshipful equivalent of making fanfare for a king (compare Psalm 98:6; see 100:2, below). This is the first of four appearances (in a psalm of only five verses!) of the divine name Yahweh, identified in English translations as “LORD” in small caps (see 100:2–3, 5, below). This could just be the writer’s preferred method of referring to God. Or it could be that the psalmist uses this designation specifically to show that all people will know God by name and have greater knowledge of Him because of it.
1b. All ye lands.
The word lands in this context refers to the earth in its entirety (compare Psalms 8:1; 24:1; etc.). This word can also refer to specific nations or territories when used with parallel terms that speak of such groups (example: 74:8). Sometimes a doubled usage will refer to both in poetic parallelism (example: 67:6–7). This flexibility results at times in ambiguity as to whether the narrower or the wider sense is intended.
Assuming that this address is for people everywhere, we see God’s concern for all humanity. The psalmist anticipated the day when all nations would come to know the Lord and would offer their praise to Him—a theme that appears frequently in the psalms (examples: Psalms 22:27; 117:1). This theme complements the motifs of Israel proclaiming the Lord’s name among the nations (examples: 96:3; 108:3) and of His reign over the nations (example: 47:7–9).
What Do You Think?
What are some ways you can manifest more joy on a daily basis?
Digging Deeper
What passages of Scripture offer examples of the kind of joy envisioned by the psalmist?
B. Come with Gladness (v. 2)
2a. Serve the LORD with gladness.
Given that this psalm is associated with Psalm 90 (see Lesson Context), we can surmise that the writer alludes to the exodus here. Serving the Lord therefore suggests a contrast between Israel’s service to God and the nation’s service to Pharaoh (Exodus 1:11–14; 5:17–18). Whereas their labors for Pharaoh caused the people to cry out to God in distress (2:23–24), service to God is accompanied by gladness (Numbers 10:10; 2 Chronicles 30:21; etc.). David expressed a similar thought in Psalm 68:3.
2b. Come before his presence with singing.
If this verse alludes to the exodus, then coming before his presence can very easily be an allusion to the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:22). This brings to mind the ark’s location in the tabernacle and later in the temple (Exodus 25:8–9; 2 Chronicles 6:1–2, 11).
Throughout the centuries, the people of God had experiences worthy of song. Israel sang in celebration of their rescue at the Red Sea (Exodus 15; see lesson 1). David had issued instructions for leading Israel in praising God for “all his wondrous works” (1 Chronicles 16:7–9). Paul directed Christians to sing to one another (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). In all these instances, the people of God could declare with David, “[God] hath put a new song in my mouth” (Psalm 40:3).
What Do You Think?
As we see “gladness” connected with singing, what place should you allow for mournful songs in worship, if any? Why?
Digging Deeper
Thinking of mournful hymns such as “Abide with Me” and “Almost Persuaded,” what additonal examples can you offer?
GET TO
A friend of mine grew up in a communist country. Life changed dramatically when she attended a Christian college in the United States. When other students complained, “Do I have to go to chapel?” my friend would exclaim, “I’m so glad I get to go to chapel!”
“Get to” is better than “have to.” The former nurtures gratitude; the latter generates grumpiness. Crawling out of bed on Monday morning, it’s tempting to mutter, “I wish I didn’t have to go to work.” But considering the alternatives of being sick, injured, unemployed, or forbidden to go, isn’t it better to say, “Thank you, Lord, that I get to go to work today”?
The same principle applies when one has a relationship with God. Do we have to pray? Yes, but even better, we get to. Do we have to sing? Yes, but we get to, and God gives us joyful reason to do so! It helps us serve the Lord with gladness when we remember that we don’t just have to worship God. We get to! —D. F.
II. A Call to Know
(PSALM 100:3)
A. Who God Is (vv. 3a)
3a. Know ye that the LORD he is God.
This, the fourth command of this psalm, occupies the central position. It provides a rationale for all the other commands. The word know in this context suggests a profound awareness beyond mere intellectual perception (Deuteronomy 34:10; 1 Samuel 3:7; Psalm 139:2).
The Lord … is God is a central affirmation of Old Testament faith (examples: Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 1 Kings 8:60; Psalm 118:27). Its parallel of Jesus as Lord is a central affirmation of the New Testament (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3). In both instances, the proclamation sets apart the one who is confessing from those who will not confess the same. In the first-century church and throughout its early history in Rome, declaring Jesus to be Lord—the only Lord—was tantamount to denying the deity of a caesar or any other so-called god. It was a scandal. Yet any saving faith in the Lord must begin by confessing that He alone is God.
B. Who We Are (v. 3b)
3b. It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
It would be easy to think of the first part of this half-verse’s declarations in terms of the creation of humanity in Genesis 1:26–27. But pausing to look at the second part may lead us to a different conclusion: his people and the sheep of his pasture may be intended to refer primarily to God’s creation of the nation of Israel. Psalm 95:6–7 is quite similar in this regard: “Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” Another close parallel is Psalm 79:13.
The metaphor of the nation of Israel as the Lord’s sheep draws on ancient imagery. Kings were depicted as shepherds and their subjects as the monarch’s sheep (example: 1 Kings 22:17). God is often referred or alluded to as shepherd as well (see Genesis 49:24; Psalm 23:1–3; Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:11–12).
Being God’s sheep suggested that the people of Israel could feel confident in their relationship to God but should be humble concerning their own abilities. Like sheep, Israel was weak, vulnerable, and needing care. However, they belonged to and were valued by the Lord God, the true and ultimate shepherd-king (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 80:1; Ezekiel 34:31). It was He who would guide, protect, and provide for them.
Whether referring to humanity in general or Old Testament Israel in particular, the text before us highlights both God’s identity as Creator and the worshipper’s identity as created being. The implications are profound: it effectively negates any notions of human self-sufficiency. Neither humanity in general nor Old Testament Israel in particular came into being by self-sufficient effort (see Acts 17:28). We do well to remember that it is Christ who has created the church (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47; 20:28). And the one who created the church is also the Creator of everything (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:16).
What Do You Think?
How can you help your church balance its praise to God with regard to His three roles as Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer?
Digging Deeper
What examples from Scripture can you think of regarding praise for His three roles?
The shepherd-sheep imagery carries over into the New Testament. We recall that Jesus referred to himself as the shepherd who cares for His sheep to the point of giving His life for them (John 10:11, 15). The church is God’s flock, and its elders are called to care for and to protect it as does Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–4; compare John 21:15–17).
Before moving on, we should pause to note that the affirmations made in Psalm 100:3b echo the two halves of a standard covenant-promise formula: “I … will be your God, and ye shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12; see also Exodus 6:7; Psalm 95:6–7). This formula’s final appearance is associated with the promise of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1–3).
III. A Call to Thanksgiving
(PSALM 100:4–5)
A. In God’s Presence (v. 4)
4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. The dedication of Solomon’s temple took place during the feast of tabernacles (1 Kings 8:2, 65; see Lesson Context). The association of the dedication with that feast may provide context for allusions to the temple grounds here. Furthermore, gates and court[yard]s are mentioned together dozens of times in the Old Testament in that regard (examples: Jeremiah 36:10; 2 Chronicles 23:5; Nehemiah 8:16).
The gates refer to the entrances to the temple grounds, and courts are the areas in proximity. The complex included two temple courts: an “inner court” (1 Kings 6:36) and a “great court” (7:12). The chronicler designated the inner court as “the court of the priests” (2 Chronicles 4:9). The “great court” was evidently an outer court surrounding the entire temple complex. It is into this larger, outer court the psalmist envisioned the congregation entering (contrast Hebrews 10:19–22).
Those approaching God in the temple courts needed to bring appropriate offerings (examples: Deuteronomy 16:16–17; Psalm 96:8). What better than thanksgiving and praise (compare Micah 6:6–8; Hebrews 13:15)? The terms thanksgiving and be thankful refer to a proclamation or confession of what God had done (compare Leviticus 7:12–15). Joyful noise and psalms would accompany this thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2). Praise consisted of boasting about and exalting the Lord—to recognize the great things He had done and to admire His characteristics (examples: Psalms 18:1–3; 96:2–3; 1 Chronicles 16:23–29). To bless the Lord’s name is to acclaim His power and reputation with all due respect.
The Hebrew term translated praise is used in a variety of ways by Old Testament writers. These included proclamation or confession of what God had done (example: Psalm 26:7).
What Do You Think?
With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching (dates of October 11 in Canada and November 25 in the US), what are some creative ways you can use Psalm 100:4 in your observance?
Digging Deeper
What about Psalms 69:30 and 95:2 as well?
CHECK THE GATE
“Check the gate, son.” After all these years, I can still hear Dad’s voice.
Opening and closing gates was one of the first jobs I learned on the farm in southern Ohio where I grew up. Swinging on rusty hinges, our gates were made of wood that was weathered by years of exposure to the elements. Twisted pieces of baling wire fastened the gates shut, allowing us access to the field while keeping our Holstein cattle corralled inside. I would untwist the wire and push the gate open so Dad could drive his tractor into the field.
Later I learned about a different gate. In non-digital filmmaking, it referred to the window on the camera where light from the lens passed through to expose the film. It was important to “check the gate” or else a speck of dust could ruin the shot.
When you join other believers for prayer and worship, do you first “check the gate” of your heart? When it comes to such times with the Lord, this gate should always be open. —D. F.
B. For God’s Greatness (v. 5)
5a. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting.
This verse offers motivations for praising God. The simple affirmation that the Lord is good is used four times in the book of Psalms (here, and in Psalms 34:8; 135:3; and 145:9). To these can be added Psalms 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29; and 136:1, which all feature the sentence “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” or a slight variation of it. The word translated mercy is elsewhere translated “kindness” (1 Samuel 15:6) and “favour” (Esther 2:17). God’s mercy endures through the failures and sins of His people (Psalms 86:5; 89:33; 103:8). It is everlasting (103:17), and the Lord delights to show it (Micah 7:18). It is rooted and expressed primarily in covenant relationships (Deuteronomy 7:9, 12).
5b. And his truth endureth to all generations.
Elsewhere in the psalms, the Hebrew word translated truth here is translated “faithfulness” (example: Psalm 36:5). It derives from the verbal root from which we get the word amen, an affirmative response to what has just been said. It refers to firmness, steadfastness, reliability, and consistency (96:13; 98:3; 143:1). The congregation of Israel could expect their children, grandchildren, and succeeding generations to experience the same goodness from the Lord’s hand that they had received.
God’s long-standing relationship with His people demonstrates His reliable goodness, mercifulness, and truthfulness. Pairings of the words translated “mercy” and “truth” occur frequently in the psalms (example: Psalm 57:3). These echo one of the Old Testament’s foundational descriptions of the Lord God of Israel, as seen in Exodus 34:6–7.
The Lord’s dealings with Israel proved to be more than sentimental impulses that could easily dissipate. The people could rely on God because He had been faithful to the covenants He made with their ancestors (examples: Exodus 2:24–25; 6:8; Joshua 23:14–15; 1 Kings 8:23–24). Israel had experienced the Lord’s reliability and faithfulness for a long time, and the people could move into their future assured of His continued presence. They could know that God’s acts of grace were not the product of a divine whim. We can trust in the Lord because He is constant, and His gracious purposes for us are reliable (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 10:23; 1 John 1:9). Indeed, Jesus is called “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11).
Conclusion
A. Because the Lord Is Good
Enthusiastic joy is fitting for those who have come to experience God as described in Psalm 100. Here the psalmist calls the reader to a life of joyous thanksgiving and praise in the presence of our Lord. When we ponder who God is and who we are, then praise and thanksgiving are called for. The call to worship in this regard is a call away from the mundane distractions of life and toward the holy and loving God. The concerns of the preceding week should fade as the congregation at worship focuses minds and affections on the ever-present Lord.
The Lord is God, He is the Creator, He is our shepherd. He is good and faithful. We are His people, the sheep for whom He cares. Generations before us have experienced His goodness. And until our Lord Jesus returns, all generations who follow us are invited to experience His steadfast mercy and kindness as well.
How can we not join the psalmist in singing, rendering thanks and praise to the good and faithful God who calls us His own?
What Do You Think?
Which imperative in today’s lesson will you have the most trouble implementing? Why?
Digging Deeper
Should you wait until your next blessing before making Psalm 100 your own expression, or should you first make the psalm your own in anticipation of blessings to come? Why?
B. Prayer
Our Father, we rejoice knowing that we belong to You! We praise You for Your constant faithfulness. When we are tempted to drop our gaze to the troubles of this life, remind us again to lift our focus and our praise back to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Be joyful! The Lord is good, and we belong to Him.
KID’S CORNER
Why Jesus’ Burden For Us Is Easy and Light
Sunday, October 3, 2021
1 John 5:1-5
1 John 5:1-5
(1 John 5:1) ) Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.
John gives believers another test by which we can know if we are true Christians: “Do we believe that Jesus is the Christ;” that is, the Messiah that God promised in the Old Testament to send? Do we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One as the Bible represents Him? Do we believe Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world as a human being—fully God and fully man? Do we believe Jesus is the King, our King, not just the King of the Jews? Do we love Jesus’ Father in heaven? Do we love the children of God, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ who follow Him too? If we repent of our sins and trust in Jesus Christ as the Holy Scriptures teach, we know we are born-again and we have been given the Holy Spirit to live within us. When we are born-anew, we become new creations, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Those who are born of God believe in Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures. Their new birth leads them to love and obey Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures. Those who are truly born from above will truly love God the Father, and they will love His Son, Jesus Christ. They will also love other children of God as their brothers and sisters in Christ, because they have the same Father. John carries forward into chapter 5 his teaching in 1 John 4 by writing, “Everyone who loves the father loves his child as well,” which means that a person who says they love God; that is, if they truly love God, will love “God the Father” and they will love “God the Son, Jesus Christ,” and they will also love all those who believe in Jesus Christ because they too are members of God’s family. If a person does not love “God the Son, Jesus Christ” they cannot truly love and know the true God. If a person says they love God, but they do not love their brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ (that is, those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ), they do not truly love God the Father or God the Son.
(1 John 5:2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
If we love God the Father and God the Son, we will love the children of God—those who are born-again into the family of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The Bible commands and requires the true children of God to love God and obey God’s commandments. If we love God and obey God’s commandments, we will also love God’s children. As born-again believers, we can know whether we love God and God’s children by examining what we say and do. If we love God, we will carry out His commands, and His commands often describe specific ways we can express the love of God and our love to others in a variety of situations. For example, John wrote in James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” We do not love God or carry out His commands as some “works” we must do to “be saved” or “born again.” Rather, because as followers of Jesus Christ we are born again, we love God, we love to carry out His commands, and we love all who follow Jesus Christ.
(1 John 5:3) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
Love for God and obedience to God go together. If we are obeying God because we love God, then we have no fear of punishment by God—this is gospel living—this is living with good news from God. If we are trying to obey God because we are afraid of punishment by God—this is living under the law of God and not the love of God. It is not burdensome to obey God when we know God loves us and we love God and love to obey God because we truly love God and want to bring God joy, happiness, and glory by the way we live. It is burdensome to try to live by a book of rules and regulations and interpretations of these rules by others in order to please some group or some person or some god, as the scribes and Pharisees tried to do and tried to force others to do. In Matthew 23:4, Jesus said of them, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.” For this reason and others, Jesus invited people to come to Him and said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus lifted more than a finger to help people—He died and rose from the dead to help people. And after He rose from the dead He sent the Holy Spirit to help all who believe in Him to obey Him in love—because they love God. If we truly love God and others, we will want and pray for the Holy Spirit to help us find ways to express the love of God and our love in practical ways to bless others, in wise and God-honoring ways, in ways that show forth the love of Jesus Christ in us for them. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit will give us the incentive and the power to do whatever God commands. Depending on our situation, we may not have the money or the physical ability to help others according to their needs, but we do have the power of prayer. God will do whatever He knows is wise and best for others in answer to prayer. We can always pray for others in need and for the Lord Jesus Christ to help them and send them those who can help them. Truly, God’s commands are not burdensome when we obey them because we love God and others and know that God is giving us the ability to love and do whatever He commands.
(1 John 5:4) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Those born of God can follow Jesus Christ and His commands to say and do what is loving as the Holy Spirit directs and empowers in every situation. They can obey God because the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have come to live, love, and work within them. They can overcome the world because the Holy Spirit within them gives them the power and the wisdom to do what God wants as they face the world and the worldly who would tempt them to sin, who would try to lead them away from God, who would persecute them, or who would kill their bodies. However, no one can kill a follower of Jesus Christ because Jesus has given eternal life to those born of God. In 2 Corinthians 5:5-9, when the Apostle Paul wrote about facing the world’s opposition, persecutions, and death, he encouraged believers with these words: “He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” The bodies of those who are born anew have become temples of the living God. Even as the soul and spirit of human beings live in physical human bodies, so God comes to live in the bodies of those born of God. Therefore, they can keep on loving and obeying God when the world tempts them to sin or persecutes and kills them. Through the abiding and indwelling Spirit of Truth, they can have a strong faith in God, and they can do what is most loving and most wise according to the Bible’s teachings in every trial—thereby they conquer the world. When, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we love and obey God we are overcoming the world. God has freed us from slavery to do as the world wants or as the ruler of this world demands. Despite all the opposition of the world to Jesus Christ, our faith in Jesus Christ provides the victory that overcomes the world. The world and the ruler of this world cannot prevent anyone from repenting of their sins and trusting in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In this life, we will not be all we may want to be as God’s children, but with God’s help we are maturing as God’s children. We will not be perfect in love and obedience, but we will grow in faith and love for God. We will become more perfect, and we will become more like Jesus Christ in the world, and the world will know that we are children of the God the Father and Jesus is our King.
(1 John 5:5) Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
The entire focus of the Bible is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God the Father commands everyone to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. As the Bible reveals the truth to us, believing Jesus is the Son of God enables us to love God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and all those born of God. By believing what the Bible teaches despite all who would try to mislead us, we conquer the world. If we find ourselves being defeated by the world or living a defeated life before the world because of the world and the world’s temptations to disobey God and Jesus, then we need to examine our beliefs and see if we truly believe in Jesus, love Jesus, and obey His commands as revealed in the Bible. Along with the gift of eternal live, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will give the Holy Spirit to indwell those who have faith in Him and the power they need to love and overcome the world.
Why Jesus’ Burden For Us Is Easy and Light
Sunday, October 3, 2021
1 John 5:1-5
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3—KJV).
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3— NASB).
For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3— NRSV).
John wrote his first two letters to believers in churches, letters that he probably wanted circulated among the churches that he oversaw as elder. Some of these churches would have been named in his Book of Revelation. He wrote to those who were “born of God,” who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. His letters were included in the Bible to help all Christians remain faithful until Christ comes again as the Book of Revelation foretells. The Spirit of Christ indwells and transforms all Christians, bringing them from spiritual darkness and death into spiritual light and life. Through their faith in Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Christ fills believers with the love of God and enlarges their hearts to receive more of God’s love. As their expanding hearts are filled to overflowing with the love God, Christians love God and others more and more. John wrote that just as Christians love their heavenly Father, so they also love His children. When Christians love God and one another, they are obeying God’s commandments: God commands us to love God and all others. God’s commandments are not grievous or burdensome because the Spirit of Christ and the love of God within Christians enables and guides them to love God and others in practical ways every day (see Matthew 11:28-30). God’s commandments are not burdensome, because God loves everyone, and His commandments describe the best way for people to live in order to get the most out of the life that God has given them. Loving and obeying God through faith in Jesus Christ enables Christians to keep believing when persecuted or tempted by the world.
Thinking Further
Why Jesus’ Burden For Us Is Easy and Light
Sunday, October 3, 2021
1 John 5:1-5
Name ___________________________________________
1. How do you know you are born of God? What does that mean to you?
2. What do you think John meant to illustrate when He wrote “everyone who loves the parent loves the child”
3. How do we know that we love the children of God?
4. How do we love God or how do we show God that we love God?
5. What did John say was not burdensome? Why are they not burdensome?
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. How do you know you are born of God? What does that mean to you?
You know you are born of God if you believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God (see 1 John 5:1,2) according to the Bible. I have faith that I can trust God the Father and Jesus Christ in this world and through eternity to love me and treat me as a child of God.
2. What do you think John meant to illustrate when He wrote “everyone who loves the parent loves the child”
If we love God the Father, we will love all His children, which includes Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, and those who are the Father’s children by adoption by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. How do we know that we love the children of God?
We can know when we love God and keep His commands; therefore, we will certainly love the children of God and know when we them.
4. How do we love God or how do we show God that we love God?
We love God by obeying His commandments, which includes loving God, our neighbors, ourselves, other children of God and our enemies.
5. What did John say was not burdensome?
Why are they not burdensome? God’s commands are not burdensome because we love God and are not trying to escape punishment from God by obeying God’s commands. We love God because we are forgiven, and Jesus made our forgiveness justly and mercifully possible by His sacrificial death on the cross. Love for God is our ultimate motive or reason for doing what God says and following Jesus Christ according to the Bible.
Word Search
Why Jesus’ Burden For Us Is Easy and Light
Sunday, October 3, 2021
1 John 5:1-5
Name ___________________________________________
J R H V Q X D S R E U Q N O C
T Y C J T K T M A D S B N O S
R D G Z V F B S R V X A H I C
Q T O Y A W O V I J W R C O U
B U D I Z Y R G E R O V M S D
X E T X N B N S L F H M X N E
W H L A Q W U O T M A C R P M
E B S I D S V P K N K D N A O
I N Z C E E A Q D J Q L H R S
Q F O B S V I M C W K I X E N
Y H Z Y F B E X A D M H Q N E
S O E W R N F S E L A C W T D
N B D I T E U J Y R J G O H R
O F G S B X V D M O P B E P U
Q I K H Q O Q E J W F M R X B
Everyone
Believes
Christ
Born
God
Loves
Parent
Child
Obey
Commandments
Burdensome
Conquers
World
Faith
Son
Why Jesus’ Burden For Us Is Easy and Light
Sunday, October 3, 2021
1 John 5:1-5
Name ___________________________________________
Prayer
Loving heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus is You only begotten Son and that through Him I have everlasting life. Perfect my love I pray that I may be a channel through Whom Your love flows to all your children, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.
