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What is the greatest of fears?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" William Sillings writes:
The captain of fears, according to John’s first epistle, is fear of punishment by God. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (4:17, 18). So, the wall plaque is correct, “The fear of God is the fear that drives out all others.”
It should not be assumed by this passage, however, that all fear is sinful or the result of not loving God. Some fears are lodged deep within the subconscious and need to be treated psychologically. They do not have spiritual roots. Nevertheless, even here the fear and love of God are often the keys to freedom from deep-seated fear which does not have moral overtones.
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 26.
How Can the Christian Be So Confident?
"Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." (Psalm 27:3)
In "Word Focus" Danny McCain writes:
The word confident in verse 3 sheds some insight into why the psalmist was not afraid. It is the word batach which “expresses that sense of well-being and security which results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence” (Theological Wordbook of the O.T.). The word does not seem to have the basic connotation of “faith” in the evangelical sense. Rather it describes a feeling of security and safety. It is used in Judges 18:7: “Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt . . . quiet and secure.”
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 22.
Courage Tested
Read Jeremiah 38:1-6
“Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon, there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire” (v. 6).
Bringing unfavorable news to the royal court has always had its risks. Kings of ancient times were notoriously bad losers. If they didn’t like the message, they took it out on the messenger. And people still do this today. Many have been the times that an attendee felt the sharp steel of God’s truth against his neck and decided that it was the preacher who was the problem and never came back. Today, sounding forth the Lord’s message might decrease the congregation; in Jeremiah’s day, it decreased one’s life!
Jeremiah offended the high ranking officials in the court of Zedekiah. They felt sure his words would weaken the morale of the military men. When they asked permission to do away with the prophet, the king did not stand in their way. And so Jeremiah found himself in the muddy, slimy bottom of a well – friendless, dirty, and awaiting death.
Have you ever been in that place? Has your courage for Christ been rewarded with a smelly, filthy situation? Don’t despair. Take it from Jeremiah, it’s best to obey the Lord, even if it means sitting in the mud for a while. (Valorie Quesenberry)
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
(Isaac Watts: Public Domain)
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p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">A test of courage can only be passed through, not gone around.
This devotional is the Thursday, September 22, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Barrier of the Classroom Environment, part 2
Last week's Tip for Teachers might appear to suggest that having the adult class in some other room will avoid creating classroom environment barriers for the unchurched. But such a conclusion would be a serious mistake. Any classroom location may result in potential barriers for the unchurched. Here are some questions you should ask to determine if your classroom environment results in unnecessary barriers: Does your classroom, education wing, and church have appropriate signage for newcomers to know where to go? Is your classroom filled with years of accumulated junk? Does it sport faded posters, etc.? Is there adequate "breathing room" in your class? If using tables, is it easy for a new person to navigate to an empty seat? Are there more than enough chairs, in order to accomodate visitors? Are there weird or suspicious smells in your classroom or in the hall leading to your classroom? 04: The Barrier of the Lesson Format (183 words)
The typical Sunday school class has developed years of tradition, but this tradition is not necessarily shared between our churches, and the unchurched person will not at all know what to expect. Some classes read the scripture in unison. Some read verse by verse, each person taking one or two at a time. Some classes expect the person reading the scripture to be ready to make a comment on it; some do not. For the new person who is already conspicuous by simply being present, not knowing the established procedure can be painfully embarrassing.
The new person may also not realize the lessons are dated. They will be unfamiliar with the lesson divisions that you merely assume everyone understands. Also, note that the page numbers and content location differs from Adult Teacher's Insights, the Adult Lesson, to leaflet. If you do not take care to know the various locations in the student book and leaflet to which you are referring - or if that content is not present in one of those books - the result can be confusing and frustrating for the new person.
Turning Fear Into Courage
Lesson 4 - September 25, 2016
Focus Text: Psalm 27:1-14
Central Truth: In every kind of circumstance we can count on God's faithfulness.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to tell how we should respond when trouble arises.
Lesson Outline:
- Confidence in the Promise of God (Psalm 27:1-3)
- Refuge for a Time of Trouble (Psalm 27:4-6)
- Prayer for a Time of Need (Psalm 27:7-14)
Prayer, Lesson 3 – A Portrait of Christ
Heavenly Father, we thank You again for the gift of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for being our Savior, Shepherd, and Sovereign. Amen!