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July 28, 2021: Living by Faith
Read Galatians 2:16-20.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (v. 20)
Automobile accidents are often avoidable. Focusing away from the road will get the driver and vehicle straight into the ditch. The painted lines, arrows, guardrails, and reflectors are there to keep us on the highway. Good deeds done for show and self-centeredness may quickly divert one from the road to heaven. Keep your eyes on Jesus, Who is the true way. You will avoid difficulty, trouble, and dismay.
We live by faith in Christ and not in our human abilities. Faith in intellect, religious attentiveness, or on the law will not help us to succeed spiritually. Even religious impulses fail to save us. Allowing Christ to have clear and free course in our lives (which are not our own) is the only path of holy living. (Dale Chapman)
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
-- Edward Mote
Faith without a Christ-focus is insufficient.
August 1, 2021: The Victory of the Christian Life
FOCUS TEXT: 1 John 5:1‑12
CENTRAL TRUTH: The Christian lives by his faith in God.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several ways faith can give them victory over everyday challenges.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Victory of Faith (1 John 5:1‑5)
II. The Assurance of Faith (1 John 5:6‑9)
III. The Effectiveness of Faith (1 John 5:10‑12)
July 21, 2021: The Greatest Commandment
Read Matthew 22:34-40.
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (v. 37).
Man was made to love God. Instead, we are twisted by the selfishness of sin to love ourselves. Love degenerated from a principle of life to a passion. Love as a primary word in defining/describing Christianity goes beyond an emotion that may change with circumstances. It is a purposeful seeking the best interest of another. It is the conquering of all contrary dispositions involving the total person. Emotion may at times accompany the purpose of the heart but it is not the primary distinguishing characteristic. We do not “fall in love” with God, but we set our hearts to love him through an exercise of the will. It is the greatest commandment because we are the most like God and his love for us in fulfilling it. It is the greatest commandment because it demands the mind and the will. This resolve to love positions us to love him more as we know Him because it provides the moral foundation that supports greater love. It is well to remember that the giving and repeating of this commandment precedes both Calvary and Pentecost. With Calvary in view and Pentecost empowering, fulfilling this greatest commandment should be within the reach of all who purpose to find its realization in their lives. (William E. Snider)
“Christian love is not merely an emotional experience
which comes unbidden and unsought;
it is a deliberate principle of the mind and
a deliberate conquest and achievement of the will.”
— William Barclay
July 25, 2021: Love and the Christian Life
FOCUS TEXT: I John 4:7 21
CENTRAL TRUTH: Loving God and others is the supreme manifestation of the Christian life.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain how our love for others gives us confidence before God.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Nature of Love (1 John 4:7 11)
II. The Union in Love (1 John 4:12 16)
III. The Perfection of Love (1 John 4:17, 18
IV. The Outflow of Love (1 John 4:19 21)
July 18, 2021: Truth and the Christian Life
FOCUS TEXT: 1 John 3:23‑‑4:6
CENTRAL TRUTH: The gospel's central claim is that Christ is Savior and Lord.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several ways to distinguish truth from error.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Witness of Truth (1 John 3:23, 24)
II. Testing the Spirits (1 John 4:1‑3)
III. Knowing the Spirit of Truth (1 John 4:4‑6)
July 7, 2021: Love in Action
Read John 12:1-9.
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment" (v. 3).
Over the years of pastoring, our family has entertained many people. It was such a delight to have so many wonderful and godly people in our home. But what would it be like to entertain Jesus? That Saturday night, Jesus joined some of his closest friends for dinner. Lazarus was very much alive after being dead. Martha wanted the food to be just right for the Master. But it was Mary who does something that will be remembered throughout history. She anoints Jesus with perfume that represented as much as a year’s wages. In today’s economy, it is worth $45,000! It is not the amount that is impressive, but the sacrifice of her most valuable possession. She not only speaks her love but shows her love.
Mary's act is a reflection of Jesus’ love for us. The next day will be Palm Sunday. In days, Jesus will show His love in Gethsemane, Calvary, and the Garden Tomb. We can put our love for Christ in action by our acts of praise, worship, service, and love for others. (Jack Hooker)
"Heavenly Father, may I sit at Your feet and worship You with all
that I am and all that I have - and may the beauty of Jesus become
a life-giving fragrance of His love to all with whom I come
in contact today, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN." — Knowing-Jesus.com