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Unity Is Blessed
Unity Is Blessed

Unity Is Blessed

Read Psalm 133:1-3
“As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (v. 3).
A New York family bought a ranch out west hoping to raise cattle. Later a friend asked what they named their ranch. The new rancher answered, “I wanted it to be the Bar-J. My wife wanted it to be the Suzy-Q, one son wanted the Flying-W, and the other the Lazy-Y. We finally de-cided on the Bar-J-Suzy-Q-Flying-W-Lazy-Y. We have only had one problem. None of our cattle survived the branding.”
Sometimes making everybody happy does not mean that you have unity. The Moravian brethren discovered this in the midst of internal conflict in 1747. Count Zinzendorf arranged to have a conference so they could discuss the issues causing the controversy. When the representatives arrived, they did not immediately begin to have debates as they had assumed. Instead, he instructed them to first spend time in prayer and the study of 1 John. By the end of the week, they had realized again that one of the main lessons of the book was “love for all the brethren.” On Sunday they agreed they should observe the Lord's Supper, remembering that being many they were one Body. Compromise or debate would have failed. Looking to God for guidance, they once again became the unified functioning Body of Christ. They now experienced what they had forgotten they cherished — the blessing of unity. Prayer with purpose, submission to God's Word, and a humble spirit brought the blessing of unity to the Moravian brethren. It is time for God's people to use this simple formula today. (L Gayle Woods)

Whereas compromise and debate will usually fail, looking to God for His guidance, the people of God can once again become the unified functioning Body of Christ.

This devotional is the Monday, June 12, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-13T08:53:00+00:00June 13th, 2017|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Unity|0 Comments

The Unity of the Church
The Unity of the Church

The Unity of the Church

Lesson 3 - June 18, 2017
Focus Text: 1 Peter 1:22--2:10
Central Truth: Christians belong to each other because they belong to Christ.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways that unity can be demonstrated.
Lesson Outline:

Children in the Same Family (1 Peter 1:22--2:3)
Stones in the Same Building (1 Peter 2:4-8)
Citizens of the Same Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9, 10)

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-12T08:43:00+00:00June 12th, 2017|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Unity|0 Comments

Whiteboard – Whole Church Whole Gospel Whole World
Whiteboard – Whole Church Whole Gospel Whole World

Whiteboard – Whole Church Whole Gospel Whole World

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-11T08:36:13+00:00June 11th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Church|0 Comments

Our Duty as Watchmen
Our Duty as Watchmen

Our Duty as Watchmen

In "Biblical Perspective" I.C. Holland writes:

Watchmen were on duty in the Temple. Psalm 134 speaks to the “servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.” For the safety of the people who dwelt in walled cities, watchmen kept their courses day and night. To Ezekiel, God said, “Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me” (33:7). The prophets of old were “God's remembrancers,” as are preachers and pastors of the Church age. It is their solemn business “to call to God's remembrance the needs and claims of His people, and the obligations of His covenant promises” (Pulpit Comm.). This we can understand to be importunate and intercessory prayer, the duty of all Christians. Paul taught us to pray without ceasing. In our prayers, we Christians are allowed to remind God of our faith in His covenant promises.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 12.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-10T09:26:00+00:00June 10th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: prayer|0 Comments

What is the Church's Relationship to Israel?
What is the Church's Relationship to Israel?

What is the Church's Relationship to Israel?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Don Callaway writes:

At the center of this lesson lie two questions: The first is the broader question of the Church's relationship with Israel, and more specifically, whether Old Testament promises to Israel apply to the Church today. Second, if these verses do apply to the Church, at what point should we expect these promises to be fulfilled? Two general approaches have been taken in addressing the relationship between Israel and the Church. Replacement Theology teaches that the Church has replaced Israel, and therefore is heir to all her promises and blessings. A second approach understands the Church to exist as a separate organism from Israel and therefore has no claim to her promises. This approach would prevent the New Testament Church from appropriating many Old Testament promises, including the ones provided here in Isaiah 62. If pushed to an extreme it might also lead to the faulty conclusion that Israel is under a sep-arate salvation plan than the Gentile Church. What do the Scriptures say?

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 13.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-09T09:13:00+00:00June 9th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Church, Israel|0 Comments

Assurance for the Church
Assurance for the Church

Assurance for the Church

In "God's Word for Today" Gordon Snider writes:

“The check is in the mail.” There is likely no other promise received with so much skepticism as this one. We have heard the promise before, and it didn't prove true. We will believe it when we see the check. Many people hear the promises in the Bible with the same skepticism. The promises seem too good to be true. In fact, Isaiah was facing the same response to his ministry. God was making great promises to His people through the prophet, but the future seemed to contradict the assurances of good. So in 61:11 Isaiah raised the problem dealt with in our lesson today: “How can I be sure that the good God has promised will really happen?” In our lesson today, God's Old Testament people were facing captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem – the holy city. The modern church is facing renewed persecution from without and increased apathy from within, either of which potentially could destroy our “holy city.” Still, some people say that “the future is as bright as the promises of God.” How can they be so sure? The answers Isaiah gave to the Old Testament church are relevant to the New Testament church as well.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-08T09:31:00+00:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Church|0 Comments

Promise of a Universal Gospel
Promise of a Universal Gospel

Promise of a Universal Gospel

Read Isaiah 60:3-7
“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (v. 3).
As an insect is drawn to light, the conversion of souls is described here as they fly to Christ, to the Church, and to His Word. As we embrace the wonderful light of salvation, we become a lighthouse for the gospel. The gospel message is universal, reaching around the globe to extraordinarily transform lives for God's glory. Sowing seeds for the Master will always result in a harvest. His Word is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” God's Word assures us that when we are busy doing His work, He will give an increase, an abundant harvest (Isa. 55:11). God is no respecter of persons. As He has faithfully dealt with us through conviction, He will speak to those for which we pray. He created us and knows the best way to get our attention! We can confidently bring our burden for lost souls to Him. He will break down language barriers whether we are in China or Chinatown. We can pray on the continent of Asia, and He can answer our prayers for someone in Europe. Prayer is the original WiFi connection available 24/7. The gospel has no boundaries as its followers carry the good news throughout the world. (Beverly Tatum)

Bear the good tidings all over the world,
Let the bright banner of love be unfurled,
Wherever sorrow and sin shall be found,
There let the news of salvation resound.
— Eliza Edmunds Hewitt

Let Him shine brightly through you!

This devotional is the Thursday, June 8, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-07T09:23:00+00:00June 7th, 2017|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Gospel|0 Comments

Learning by Restating Truth
Learning by Restating Truth

Learning by Restating Truth

Many teachers struggle with incorporating discussions into their classes because they feel their job is to “teach,” i.e., give information. And when they don't give information, they feel guilty, as though they have not done what they are supposed to do. Let's begin this journey by emphasizing that you don't need to feel that you cannot share new information with your class. After all, you have studied the details of the lesson, and you feel that you have something to say. That is fine! Say it! But how do you know if your students understood what you said correctly? Or just as importantly, hopefully, your students have studied their lesson as well, and they have learned things in the process that they are excited about and want to share. Class involvement meets both of those needs. From the feedback you get, you will know if you have stated your points clearly, and you will also have the advantage of learning from your students. It is OK to be the “sage on the stage” part of the time. But balance that with being a “guide on the side.” Your students will retain most of what they have been allowed to restate in their own words!
Source: Snider, Gordon. "Tips for Teachers." The Church: God's People: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 9.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-06T09:14:00+00:00June 6th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Teaching|0 Comments

Prophetical Picture of the Church
Prophetical Picture of the Church

Prophetical Picture of the Church

Lesson 2 - June 11
FOCUS TEXT: Isaiah 62:1-12
CENTRAL TRUTH: God planned that the Church should be a vibrant and victorious organism.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list at least three prophecies concerning the Church which have been fulfilled.
LESSON OUTLINE:

God's Promises for His Church (Isaiah 62:1-5)
God's Watchmen (Isaiah 62:6-9)
God's Holy People (Isaiah 62:10-12)

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-05T09:00:10+00:00June 5th, 2017|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Church|0 Comments

To Whom Does Your Church Belong?
To Whom Does Your Church Belong?

To Whom Does Your Church Belong?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Don Callaway writes:

Naming a church can be an important step toward expressing the mission, personality, and goals of the congregation. Contemporary names of churches usually include terms like “hope,” “grace,” “faith,” or “community” in an attempt to make a public statement of an important quality of the gospel that church wants to promote. In a neighboring town, a local non-denominational church was established several years ago. The name they chose was “The People's Church.” Likely this name was chosen to convey the openness of the gospel that the church is committed to promote — whoever comes is welcome. However, the name also suggests that they are the sole owners and decision-makers of the congregation. If this human-centered philosophy of the church is the real message of the church, they have missed the whole meaning of the church.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 8.

Herald & Banner Press2017-06-03T09:01:00+00:00June 3rd, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Church|0 Comments

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