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Access Through Christ
Read John 10:1-9
“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep” (v. 7).
During the summer, our four children spend hours outdoors nearly every day, playing with friends, riding their bikes, and climbing nearby trees. While they play outside, our back door remains unlocked, giving them easy access to the amenities of home--snacks, drinks, and the occasional bandage. At night, though, our children stay inside, sleeping within the security of locked doors and under the care of their parents.
Similarly, our loving shepherd Jesus grants us access to all the delights of His caring presence, security, direction, and nourishment. Indeed, Jesus gives us abundant life as long as we follow Him. After all, Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b).
As the “door of the sheep,” Jesus stands ready to welcome sinners into the sheepfold, where His flock enjoy His loving care and watchful protection. (Lyle Witt)
Seeking the lost, He is seeking today,
Seeking His sheep that have gone astray;
Up in His arms, and safe from the cold,
He tenderly bears them back to the fold.
-- J. A. Lee
Jesus still opens the door for all who will follow.
March 22, 2020: Christ’s High Priestly Ministry
Printed Test: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10
Central Truth: Christ, our tested and sympathetic High Priest cannot fail.
Objective: By the end of this class my students should be able to explain the difference between Christ as our High Priest and an ordinary man as our priest.
Lesson Outline:
I. An Understanding High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)
II. An Acknowledged High Priest (Hebrews 5:1-5)
III. A Perfected High Priest (Hebrews 5:6-10)
March 15, 2020: The Danger of Unbelief
Focus Text: Hebrews 3:7-19
Central Truth: The Christian must guard against falling into unbelief and disobedience.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list some ways in which they can guard against unbelief and disobedience.
Lesson Outline:
I. A Warning (Hebrews 3:7-11)
II. An Exhortation (Hebrews 3:12-15)
III. The Consequence (Hebrews 3:16-19)
March 8, 2020: The Sovereign Savior
Focus Text: Hebrews 2:8-18
Central Truth: Jesus suffered and died for all so we can have victory over sin and death.
Objective: By the end of this lesson, my students should be able to identify areas of Christ's sovereignty.
Lesson Outline:
I. Perfected Through Suffering (Hebrews 2:5-10)
II. Partaker of Flesh and Blood (Hebrews 2:11-15)
III. Powerful in Temptation (Hebrews 2:16-18)
God’s Word for Today
What is the significance of God having spoken through Jesus Christ “in these last days”?
Almost everyone understands that our world is in the midst of an authority crisis. Two related questions keep being asked. Who can I believe? Who should I obey?
These questions are not so different from the questions the writer of Hebrews is seeking to answer. In the early New Testament era there were many voices seeking to be heard, both within Judaism and in paganism. The writer of Hebrews seeks to show that, among all the voices clamoring for attention, Jesus is the only truly authoritative voice. As a teacher you might want to start today's lesson making a list of all the voices in our day clamoring for attention: psychics, new agers, politicians, economists, entertainers might be a good start. What evidence can a Christian give to the world that Jesus should be believed over any of these voices?
Greater Than Abraham
Read John 8:48-59.
“Jesus said unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (v. 58).
Every faith traces their history back to outstanding figures of the past. Abraham was often considered the “father” of the Jewish faith. Indeed, his willingness to heed God’s call (Gen. 12), his intimate intercession with God (Gen. 19), his obedient dedication to God (Gen. 22), were among the examples that caused him to be revered by the Jews. In the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Fame,” Abraham is mentioned for his faith. Although Abraham’s sacrifices and intercession were exemplary, he could not atone for “Adam’s fallen race.”
Renown and reputation does not make a redeemer! While the Jews sought and looked forward to a “rescuer,” Jesus Christ came to be the Redeemer. He came to provide the atonement needed to bring “whosoever will” into an “at-one-ment” relationship with God. In many respects Abraham provided an example of faithful service, but Jesus Christ offers us living faith so that we can be a part of “the family of God!” While remembering Abraham may be inspirational, turning to Jesus Christ is transforming! Truly the Son of God has no equal! (Rodney Stearns)
“Great God, how infinite art Thou!
How poor and weak we are!
Let the whole race of creatures bow,
And pay their praise to Thee.”
Isaac Watts
“Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”(I John 4:4).