Sunday School Lesson
November 28
Lesson 13 (KJV)
Good News for All
Devotional Reading: Acts 10:34–47
Background Scripture: Acts 10:34–47
Acts 10:34–47
34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35. But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37. That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Key Text
Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.—Acts 10:34–35
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize how God welcomed Gentiles into His kingdom.
2. Explain his or her identity with the Gentiles in that regard.
3. Role-play an evangelistic encounter with an unbeliever.
HOW TO SAY IT
| Caesarea Maritima | Sess-uh-ree-uh Mar-uh-tee-muh. |
| centurion | sen-ture-ee-un. |
| Cornelius | Cor-neel-yus. |
| Galilee | Gal-uh-lee. |
| Gentiles | Jen-tiles. |
| Joppa | Jop-uh. |
| Judaea | Joo-dee-uh. |
| Mediterranean | Med-uh-tuh-ray-nee-un. |
| proselytes | prahss-uh-lights. |
| Pentecost | Pen-tih-kost. |
| Samaritans | Suh-mare-uh-tunz. |
Introduction
A. Still Waiting?
According to the Deaf Bible Society, only 2 percent of people who are deaf worldwide have been introduced to the gospel. As a result, the deaf constitute one of the largest and least-reached demographics. A man who was deaf recounted his story of attending church while he grew up, but never understanding what Jesus had done.
Although there are estimated to be more than 400 sign languages in use worldwide, only recently has there been an effort to begin Bible translation among these communities. As of this writing, not a single sign language has a complete Bible translation, not even American Sign Language (ASL)!
But wait—since deafness is not a visual impairment, why do people who cannot hear need a Bible translation just for them? By one estimate, the great majority of children who are deaf cannot read. Thus having a video Bible translated into sign language overcomes a barrier.
We should not assume that everyone is aware of the good news of Jesus. That was the situation for many in the first century AD. And many or most Jews who were aware of the gospel thought that Gentiles didn’t need to know because non-Jews were, by and large, excluded (see Acts 10:45; 11:1–18). But God had a different idea, as today’s lesson demonstrates.
B. Lesson Context
Today’s passage is an excerpt from a longer story that extends from Acts 10:1 to 11:18. The length of this account, which comprises more than 6 percent of the book of Acts, reflects its significance.
This turning point in history occurred after the Day of Pentecost, when the apostle Peter had declared in his gospel message that “the promise is unto you … and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39). Given Peter’s surprise in today’s passage, he may have presumed that “all that are afar off” referred only to all Jews who were afar off (compare addressees in James 1:1).
Our lesson text has Peter standing before a Gentile audience, poised to share the gospel. This was a huge step for Peter. To observant Jews, Gentiles were unclean pagans, who might endanger the apostles’ own religious and moral purity. Any sharing of faith beliefs by Jews to Gentiles would have been “clean” ones testifying to “unclean” ones.
But God was changing that mind-set. The correction began with two visions that occurred about 21 hours apart: the first to a Roman centurion named Cornelius (Acts 10:1–6) and the second to the apostle Peter (10:9–16). The respective locations were the cities of Caesarea Maritima and Joppa, about 30 miles apart, on the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.
Cornelius was no ordinary Gentile. He had a track record of praying to Israel’s God and modeling generosity to his neighbors (Acts 10:2). There is no indication, however, that Cornelius had fully converted to Judaism. Luke (the author of Acts) refers to individuals like Cornelius as fearing God and/or being “devout” (10:2; 13:16, 26; 17:4, 17). This was in contrast to “proselytes”—those who had converted to Judaism fully (2:10; 6:5; 13:43). Even so, God, recognizing the sincerity of Cornelius’s faith, chose this man to be the starting point for extending the gospel to Gentiles.
God reached out to Cornelius by means of an angel, who instructed him to send for Peter (Acts 10:3–8). Next, God gave Peter a vision in which the apostle was commanded repeatedly to eat food forbidden to Jews (10:9–16). This conveyed a message that what had been declared unclean was no longer so.
Immediately following Peter’s vision, messengers from Cornelius arrived and invited Peter to the Gentile’s house (Acts 10:17–23). Upon arriving, Cornelius and Peter shared their experiences (10:24–33). This takes us into today’s text.
I. Peter’s Message
(Acts 10:34–43)
A. God’s Invitation to Gentiles (vv. 34–35)
34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.
Having evaluated the sequence of events, Peter realized that his own vision, disturbing as it was, had been timed to coincide perfectly with the vision to Cornelius. Peter therefore could draw no conclusion other than that God is no respecter of persons—He is impartial in intending the gospel for everyone (see also Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17).
| What Do You Think? What practice can you adopt to ensure that you are open to changing your mind when new evidence comes along? Digging Deeper When was the last time the Bible changed your mind about anything? |
35. But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Here, the word nation does not refer to political identity but to ethnic and religious background. People everywhere who fear God and who demonstrate that fear by obeying Him are welcome. If this seems obvious to us after 2,000 years of Christian history, it was shocking to Peter and his first-century Jewish compatriots (compare Acts 10:45; 11:17–18).
We can imagine Peter’s surprise to hear these words coming from his own mouth! This occasion marked the first time that an Israelite offered Gentiles the opportunity of becoming full beneficiaries of God’s covenant—a new covenant—without requiring circumcision (compare Acts 15:1–21; Galatians 2:2–5).
B. God’s Invitation to Jews (vv. 36–37)
36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:).
Despite the nature of his audience, Peter did not hide the fact that Jesus’ ministry focused almost exclusively on the children of Israel (compare Matthew 15:24). But at the same time, Peter noted that Jesus, who was the anticipated Christ—meaning “anointed one” (see Acts 10:38, below)—of the Jews, to be the Lord of all people.
The peace Jesus preached referred primarily to peace between God and sinners. But in the context of Peter’s sermon, it also included peace between divided people groups (Gentiles and Jews) that becomes possible through common faith in Christ.
God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:2–3). As the messenger of God’s word, Jesus came to fulfill that promise (see Luke 4:18–21). Old Testament prophets had looked forward to a day when God would bring peace to the whole world (see Isaiah 52:7); Peter understood Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy. Jesus is the only way to have full peace with both God (Romans 5:1) and fellow humans (Ephesians 2:14).
37. That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached.
The phrase that word, I say, ye know indicates a certain level of prior knowledge on the part of Peter’s Gentile audience (compare Acts 26:26). But there was still more to learn! So Peter framed his teaching by setting two reference points: one of geography (published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee) and one of chronology (after the baptism which John preached).
Another way to say this is that the gospel of Jesus became a historical reality in both place and time (see Mark 1:9; Luke 4:14–20; 16:16; Galatians 4:4). His ministry was preceded by that of John the Baptist, who “did baptize … and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4).
C. Jesus’ Mission to the World (vv. 38–41)
38a. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.
The designation Jesus of Nazareth, used often by Jesus’ enemies, was well known by this time (John 18:5, 7; 19:19). Regarding the Holy Ghost and … power by which Jesus began His ministry, see Luke 4:14–20.
38b. Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
The primary purpose of Jesus’ miracles—whether they dealt with physical healing or spiritual relief from oppression by the devil—was to provide evidence of His divine nature (John 14:11). Many people, sadly, didn’t grasp that, choosing instead to focus on passing physical needs rather than enduring spiritual issues (John 6:26). And many who did see a connection between Jesus and the supernatural chose to identify Him with the worst elements of the demonic realm (Luke 11:15). Even so, Jesus had authority to bring physical and spiritual liberation because God was with him.
39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree.
Peter pressed to the heart of Jesus’ ministry, having witnessed it firsthand. Indeed, to be witnesses was the task for which Jesus had chosen him and the other apostles (Luke 24:45–49; Acts 1:8). In this regard, Peter points a finger directly at the Jews, not the Romans, as being responsible for Jesus’ death (see also Acts 5:29–30). Yet the testimony of Jesus’ death doesn’t end there.
| What Do You Think? Should you prepare your testimony before you share it with others, or just speak as the context dictates and the Holy Spirit leads? Digging Deeper Is Matthew 10:19 helpful in answering this question? Why, or why not? |
40a. Him God raised up the third day.
God’s ultimate vindication of Jesus was the resurrection. It happened on the third day after Jesus was crucified, just as He had said would happen (Luke 9:22; 18:33; compare 24:7, 46). All Jesus’ teachings and miraculous works led up to this point. All Jesus’ teachings and miracles would have been for naught had the resurrection not occurred (1 Corinthians 15:13–19). It is the resurrection that confirms Jesus to be the Son of God (see Romans 1:4), who has the power over death (Revelation 1:18).
40b. And shewed him openly.
We can be certain of the resurrection because God showed the resurrected Jesus openly. Peter and others actually saw the risen Christ themselves (see Matthew 28:16–20; Luke 24:36–53; John 20:11–29; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8).
41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
An interesting fact of the resurrection is that between that event and Jesus’ ascension, Jesus is recorded to have been seen only by believers. They had seen the evidence of His miracles and had rejected Him nonetheless. They had attributed His work to demonic power once before (Luke 11:15) and could be expected to do so again.
This underscores the unique role of Jesus’ followers. God chose specific witnesses to encounter His resurrected Son (see Luke 24:45–48). For Peter, standing before Cornelius, this is where the gospel message became personal. God had put the stamp of approval on Peter and his message by means of the two visions mentioned earlier. That message was crucial to bringing Jesus to the Gentiles, starting with this household.
Seeing Jesus
Since its release in 1979, The Jesus Film has been translated into 1,790 languages and viewed more than eight billion times. The filmmakers wanted to create a historically accurate account of Jesus, and the dialogue comes directly from Scripture. Even the costumes used only the exact shades of dye of Jesus’ day. The result was an unembellished portrayal of the life and ministry of Jesus.
Emotions run high when people see the film. The gospel becomes real. Afterward, many stay for discussion and prayer. When you read Peter’s sermon in Acts 10, imagine Cornelius and his family hearing it! If you find yourself less than fully interested because you’ve heard it so many times already, then perhaps you need to, as the saying goes, “hear it again for the first time.”
—D. G.
D. Jesus’ Commission (vv. 42–43)
42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
What we call the Great Commission, from Matthew 28:19–20, is worded this way:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
The verse before us might be seen to specify additional elements of method and message of that commission. The methods so specified are to preach and to testify; the message is that Jesus has been ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
When added to earlier references of Jesus’ impartiality (Acts 10:34–35) and His title of “Lord of all” (10:36), the role of judge makes sense. The broad scope of Jesus’ lordship is viable in His perfect impartiality as judge.
| What Do You Think? Which is God calling you to do: to be a cross-cultural missionary or to support one? Digging Deeper Is that question a false choice? Why, or why not? |
43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
God fearers such as Cornelius likely had some knowledge of the witness of the Old Testament prophets. Thus it was appropriate for Peter to refer to them here, while in other contexts it may not have been (as in Acts 17:22–34).
No specific prophets are noted, but the Old Testament provides numerous examples of prophetic witness. Isaiah foresaw a day when people would be “forgiven their iniquity” (Isaiah 33:24), through the one who “was wounded for our transgressions” (53:5), the “righteous servant” who would “justify many” (53:11).
In a similar vein, Jeremiah hoped for a day when the Lord would “forgive their iniquity” and “remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Daniel spoke of a time that would bring the “end of sins” and the Lord would make “reconciliation for iniquity” (Daniel 9:24). In speaking to Cornelius and the other God fearers gathered, Peter emphasized that the person who fulfilled such prophecies had arrived.
We note that Acts 10:36–43 may be a concise summary of a sermon that went on for hours. Perhaps there were many pauses to answer questions. Some students see in these eight verses a highly condensed version of the four Gospels.
| What Do You Think? How do you decide which of your witnessing opportunities should mention the Old Testament and which should not? Digging Deeper How do Acts 17:22–31 and 28:23 inform your response? |
II. Two Outcomes
(Acts 10:44–47)
A. Spirit Poured Out (vv. 44–46a)
44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
On hearing Peter’s message, these Gentiles might have had all types of questions. How could they be sure Jesus was the Messiah? They could have doubted the message like so many before. But before Peter could finish speaking, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. If any further evidence was needed, that was it!
45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
They of the circumcision which believed refers to those Christians present who were of Jewish descent; the many as came with Peter were six in number, according to Acts 11:12. To a man, they were astonished at God’s giving of the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles.
As Peter would recount later, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). Those last six words are a key to the importance and rarity of such an outpouring. It obviously had occurred only once before: on the Day of Pentecost. This has caused some to refer to the outpouring of Acts 10:44–47 as “the Gentile Pentecost.”
46a. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
The Spirit worked with this Gentile audience in a way similar to His work on the Day of Pentecost, allowing them to speak with tongues. This is only the second instance in Acts where Luke describes speaking with tongues, which is the ability to speak in foreign languages that one has not studied (see Acts 2:6–12).
This was divine authentication of Gentile inclusion. For a Jewish audience who had experienced the outpouring of tongues at Pentecost, hearing of the same occurring among a Gentile audience would further stress that God is impartial.
Refugees’ Response
When three refugees appeared at the gate of our compound in North Africa, we didn’t know what God’s Spirit was about to unleash. They knew my teammate was a Christian, and they wanted to learn more, even though their community did not allow Christianity.
They began reading and studying the Bible in Arabic. Meanwhile our mission team began to facilitate the work of translating the Bible into their local language. The reading group eagerly studied translated portions of Scripture as they became available. Other reading groups formed. Eventually, local leaders allowed Christianity to enter their community. Only God’s Spirit could so quickly transform a community!
It all began with three refugees looking for someone to tell them about Jesus. What if my teammate had been busy or suspicious? What if Peter had been too proud or close-minded to meet with Cornelius? Will you make the effort to share Jesus and see what God’s Spirit will do?
—D. G.
B. Baptism Enacted (vv. 46b–47)
46b–47. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
For the first-century church, baptism followed as a response to the gospel message and faith in Christ (see Acts 2:38; 8:26–39; etc.). Consistent with this pattern, Peter asked rhetorically why the new believers should not be baptized.
Having seen the Holy Spirit at work in Cornelius and his household, Peter didn’t have to ask whether or not they believed. The presence of God’s Spirit made this clear! And so the first Gentiles entered the fellowship of God.
Conclusion
A. New Humanity
The scope of God’s salvation is highlighted in today’s pivotal text, when Gentiles received an outpouring of God’s Spirit as Jews had earlier. Questions remained regarding what role former identity markers of God’s people—markers such as circumcision, dietary laws, and observance of special days—would continue to play. Such questions were settled at the famous Jerusalem Council of Acts 15: these external markers were no longer essential to the people of God.
God’s plan was to spread the news of salvation through His old-covenant people, the Jews (John 4:22). Jesus was Jewish, as were His closest disciples. All people who were not Jewish were lumped into a single category: Gentiles. (Samaritans could be a complicating additional category.) To devout Jews, Gentiles were regarded as complete outsiders unless they adhered to the Law of Moses (Exodus 12:48–49; etc.). Today’s passage overturned all this. We can do no better than allow the apostle Paul to summarize this change:
Christ Jesus … having abolished in his flesh … the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man.… For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
—Ephesians 2:13–18
The good news of God’s kingdom is now available to all who believe (see Romans 1:16). We should be on the lookout for people such as Cornelius—individuals who may be open to hearing the gospel, but who have never had it explained.
| What Do You Think? Which concept or imperative in today’s lesson do you have the most trouble coming to grips with? Why? Digging Deeper How will you resolve this problem? |
B. Prayer
Lord, it should not surprise us that You created for yourself a people from all humanity. Rid us of any tendency to set up walls within the body of Christ that Your Spirit has already knocked down. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
God doesn’t discriminate; salvation is for all people.
KID’S CORNER
Living as Salt and Light
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Matthew 5:13-20
Matthew 5:13-20
(Matthew 5:13) “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Salt will enhance flavor and preserve food when properly prepared. Jesus’ followers will make the earth a better place to live by teaching people about Jesus and His message. If salt becomes tasteless or ineffective because of impurities, it has lost its value and will be useless for its intended purpose. Jesus’ followers must maintain a pure, Biblical faith and life based on His teachings to help others come to faith in Jesus and obedience to Him.
(Matthew 5:14) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
Light enables us to see where we should go and helps us avoid stumbling and falling. Light enables us to live. The word “light” sometimes means “truth.” Jesus said that He was the light of the world, the truth, and the life (see John 8:12 and John 14:6). God revealed the truth He wants people to live by. Jesus makes His followers into people who can share the truth the world needs in order to live. The light of Jesus and His followers cannot be hidden (see John 3:21).
(Matthew 5:15) nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Jesus came as the light of the world (see John 12:46). Jesus has given light to His followers and they become “children of light” (see John 12:36). God has not hidden the truth about himself or how He wants us to live, but God has given light or truth to the world through Jesus and His followers in a way for all to see. In the house of God, people can learn the truth about Jesus and how to follow Him as they pray, study, trust, and obey the Bible’s teachings in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 5:16) “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
This command of Jesus is similar to His statement: “But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God” (John 3:21). Jesus also warned that not everyone will give glory to God when they see the good works of His followers: “And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Indeed, Jesus said that some who followed Him would be persecuted (see Matthew 5:10-12). The motivation of Jesus’ followers for doing good works should be to show their love for and to give glory to God their Father and Jesus, and then to motivate others to love and give glory to God too.
(Matthew 5:17) “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
The moral law (the Law of Love and the Ten Commandments, for example) and the ceremonial law (the laws regarding feasts and sacrifices, for example) revealed through Moses and applied and interpreted through the prophets in the Bible were fulfilled by Jesus (with some still to be fulfilled after He comes again). When He lived on earth, Jesus perfectly obeyed the laws of the Bible, but not the traditions of the scribes and Pharisees. By His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled what the prophets foretold; and being without sin, He suffered the consequences that the law demanded upon law breakers and sinners—thus Jesus upheld the Law of God.
(Matthew 5:18) “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
All will be accomplished after Jesus Christ comes again. He fulfilled many of the ceremonial laws. For example, because of His sacrificial death, we no longer need to make ceremonial sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. The Law of Love (the requirement that people love God and others) will never pass away and Jesus’ followers will love God and others whether they live on earth or in heaven. Jesus’ followers will actually “love, because they love,” and not because they are “trying to love, because they do not love” just because the law commands them to love God and others.
(Matthew 5:19) “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
To “break” means to “disobey.” No one should disobey or teach anyone to disobey the moral law (the Law of Love as interpreted by Jesus) or what may seem to be the least of the moral laws. No one should disregard the meaning of the ceremonial laws, because Jesus fulfilled many of the ceremonial laws (as interpreted by Jesus and the New Testament). Some may claim to be followers of Jesus in the kingdom of heaven, but they try to teach people to distrust the teachings of the Bible and Jesus. When His followers teach people to trust in Jesus and His teachings, they are considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:20) “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Many of the scribes and Pharisees did not love God or their neighbors, but they insisted that Jesus, His disciples, and others obey them and their traditions. They sometimes used their traditions to set aside the law of God, to disobey the law of God, and to teach others to do the same (see Matthew 15:1-9). Because the followers of Jesus love God and others, they exceed their righteousness and enter the kingdom of heaven. In John 8:31, “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.’” Of the religious leaders who lied and wanted to kill him, Jesus said, “You are from your father the devil” (John 8:44).
Living as Salt and Light
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Matthew 5:13-20
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot” (Matthew 5:13).
Jesus told His disciples they were the salt of the earth. Salt gives flavor to food. Jesus and His followers add flavor to life on earth. Without Jesus and His followers, the earth could become a dreary place. The followers of Jesus show and teach what life on earth can mean for those who will live according to Jesus’ teachings. Salt can also act as a preservative for food. As Jesus’ followers truly learn and live how God wants His children to live, they help preserve the moral and spiritual way of life that God knows will bring true blessings to everyone who will live according to Jesus’ commands. As the salt of the earth, Jesus’ disciples are also “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). John wrote that when Jesus came, He was the light of the world and the darkness did not overcome or comprehend His light (John 1:4-5). John wrote that apart from Jesus Christ, people will walk in darkness and stumble and not know where they are going (John 11:10; 12:35). Thankfully, Jesus promised, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). The light that shines forth from Jesus’ followers is Jesus working in and through them to give truth and understanding to the world as they teach the Bible in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent His followers “that everyone who believes in Jesus should not remain in the darkness” (John 12:46).
Thinking Further
Living as Salt and Light
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Matthew 5:13-20
Name _________________________________
1. How might you use Jesus’ teaching in these verses to help someone who thinks that if they are a Christian then they do not need to obey the law of God?
2. Why might you say it is important or unimportant to teach Christians about the moral law and the ceremonial law?
3. How might someone exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Do Christians need to do this?
4. Compare Psalms 119:160 — “The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever” with Matthew 5:19.
5. Is Psalms 119:124 — “Deal with your servant according to
your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes” a prayer the
followers of Jesus can still pray today? Give a reason for your
answer.
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. How might you use Jesus’ teaching in these verses to help someone who thinks that if they are a Christian then they do not need to obey the law of God?
Jesus told His disciples that they would be considered great in the kingdom of heaven if they obeyed and taught the commandments of God. True Christians will love Jesus Christ and want to obey Him; they will not be arguing about whether or not they should or “need to” obey Jesus in order to be saved and go to heaven. Jesus told His followers: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
2. Why might you say it is important or unimportant to teach Christians about the moral law and the ceremonial law?
It is important because people need to know what is right and wrong, absolutely right and wrong from the revealed will of God, the Bible. Jesus’ followers need to know that He will help them obey Him and do what is right in every situation. Many of the ceremonial laws show what is needed for God to be loving, just, and merciful when forgiving repentant sinners who come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Teaching both of these types of laws will help people see how Jesus fulfilled both types, and this will help them believe in and trust Jesus with their lives and their eternal destiny.
3. How might someone exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Do Christians need to do this?
If the scribes and Pharisees are not obeying God because they really love God, but for other reasons; such as, to be seen and praised by others; then those who obey God because they love God will exceed the scribes and Pharisees in righteousness. Christians who love God will obey Him because they love Him and want to glorify and serve Him with their lives; this is exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. It is not a matter of “needing to so this” in order to be saved. The saved person will want to do this because they love God and want to bring God joy by the way they live each day. The true Christian has been forgiven by God, cleansed from sin by Jesus Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit; therefore, their righteousness will exceed the righteousness of those who do not love God or follow Jesus.
4. Compare Psalms 119:160 — “The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever” with Matthew 5:19.
The whole Bible is the truth of God, for the Bible is God’s Word written to us. God’s righteous ordinances in the Bible are unchanging truth to be fulfilled by Jesus because they pointed to Him as the Messiah, Lord and Savior, or these ordinances are to be obeyed, and those who follow Jesus receive the power of the Holy Spirit to obey Jesus. God’s commands will endure forever, and when God’s kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven God’s children will continue to love God and others.
5. Is Psalms 119:124 — “Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes” a prayer the followers of Jesus can still pray today? Yes. Speaking of the commandments, in Matthew 5:19, Jesus said, “whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven,” and in Matthew 28:20, Jesus has commanded us, as His disciples, saying, “and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” And because we have sinned, but want to love and obey God always, we need the Lord God to deal with us according to His steadfast love.
Word Search
Living as Salt and Light
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Matthew 5:13-20
Name __________________________________
S U A J E S U S K Q D R E Q C
I H I V S E H C A E T N Z W J
M A N P L V B K L W I J B S R
P H K I O T C P O H F R L E J
N O Y A E H M Z S T P M H B V
A B M K B A T N Y G L T N A Y
P H S H R O Q R W P A A D U F
W A K T Z W L G A F X L S J W
B R X V J L K I L E R C R A N
A O L A D L D A S O Z E V O R
L R Y G O I R Q W H R H R U T
I P V F E F C F Z C Z Y I P Q
G S L G S L D E T J P V D L A
H F I B Q U J P M A L T U H L
T J O A N F O H R N U Y Q O N
Salt
Earth
Trampled
Light
World
Hill
Lamp
Basket
Shine
Glory
Father
Abolish
Fulfill
Does
Teaches
True and False Test
Living as Salt and Light
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Matthew 5:13-20
Name ___________________________________
Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.
1. If teachers mix falsehoods with truths to mislead students, they are no longer good for anything, except maybe to serve as bad examples. True or False
2. Those who follow Jesus learn truths they can share that will help others in this world. True or False
3. The truth of God gives light to the world. True or False
4. Christians should encourage others to look at their good works so they can get more and more glory from the world. True or False
5. Some will see the good works done by Jesus’ followers and give glory to God in heaven. True or False
6. Jesus came to abolish and fulfill the law. True or False
7. Jesus told His followers they did not need to obey God’s laws because they were more special to God than the scribes and Pharisees. True or False
8. We should teach that it is okay to disobey the small commandments, but not the big ones. True or False
9. Those who obey the least commandments and teach others to do the same will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. True or False
10. The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees would not qualify them to enter the kingdom of heaven. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that I may be a worthy witness and become salt in this world to Your glory. I pray that my words and actions and all that I am will be seasoned with salt and that You would use me to witness to the goodness of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ – Who gave His life as the ransom for many – this I ask in Jesus name, AMEN
