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Freedom From Sin
Lesson 8 - October 23, 2016
Focus Text: Psalm 51:117
Central Truth: Only in Christ do we find relief from the sin problem.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to describe what repentance and saving faith are.
Lesson Outline:
- A Confession of Sin (Psalm 51:1-6)
- The Cleansing From Sin (Psalm 51:7-13)
- A Contrition of Spirit (Psalm 51:14-19)
Prayer – Lesson 7, Studies in the Psalms
Heavenly Father, may this lesson on how to find encouragement in You reach those who are downcast, discouraged, and depressed. Help us to look to You in seasons of joy and distress.
"As the Deer" – YouTube
Enjoy this YouTube video with lyrics and images set to this beautiful song of worship.
https://youtu.be/a5pZkLWZv-E
How to Conquer Discouragement
In "Doctrinal Discussion" William Sillings writes the four following tips for conquering discouragement:
- Whenever possible fill your mind and heart with praise and thanks to God for what He has already done for you.
- Consciously dwell upon whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy — instead of things that are negative and which cause doubts and fears in your life.
- Fill your mind with scriptures that contain the promises of God to you.
- Practice believing God to answer prayer when you are not under the test of discouragement.
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 44.
Do You Hunger after God?
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." (Psalm 42:1)
In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:
Psalms 42 and 43 are all about a passion to worship God. This is seen powerfully in the word picture found in these verses. Yet the modern reader can easily mistake what the psalmist was saying. “Brooks” here does not refer to a bubbling stream perpetually flowing from some spring. Rather, this is “the translation of a Hebrew word used for channels which sometimes flow with water, but which are only ravines in the arid season. The deer, who has come to this wadi for a drink, has found only dust.”
Discussion: Have you ever experienced a "dry" season of life spiritually? How did you find satisfaction for your soul?
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 41.
The Persistence of Faith
Read Matthew 15:21-28
"But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us." (v. 23).
The story was told of a great Christian statesman of a previous generation. As a youth, he attended a Christian school, but his rebellious attitude kept him in trouble. Time and again he was brought to school authorities and was often on the verge of expulsion. A teacher in that Christian school had taken this young man to his heart. As often as the boy was in trouble, the teacher interceded to the administration on the boy’s behalf. Eventually, the boy was saved and went on to become a missionary statesman who served his generation well.
Many years later, the missionary statesman preached in a camp meeting I attended. At the close of the service, I responded to the invitation, telling God I would do whatever He wanted me to do. During those minutes at the altar, God called me to preach.
What if they had sent that young man away? My life and many others lives might have been very different. What if we send people away from Jesus? Instead, let us do everything we can to point people to Jesus. He can and will make a difference in their lives. Our faith and theirs will make a difference. (Mark Avery)
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring them in from the fields of sin;
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the wand’ring ones to Jesus.
Alexcenah Thomas (Public Domain)
Don’t send people away from Jesus; bring them to Him.
This devotional is the Thursday, October 6, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.