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February 17, 2021: Requirements for Entry
Wednesday, February 17
Read Luke 13:23-30.
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (v. 24).
Perhaps the person who asked Jesus, "Are there few that be saved?" had heard Jesus' teaching that the Kingdom of Heaven was found in small things. Maybe he was present when Jesus rebuked the leaders of the synagogue for trying to keep him from healing on the Sabbath. He probably had accepted the idea that the Pharisees, with their outward displays of holiness, were the ones who had the way to Heaven figured out, but Jesus showed this view to be false.
Jesus isn't warning people who were considered to be sinners. To them, he regularly offered mercy and forgiveness. However, He was talking to the religious leaders of His day when He said that many will not be able to enter through the door and gain salvation. He is also talking to us, the ones who read and write devotionals. We are standing squarely in the path of his words.
The question for all of is this: have we begun to become like the Pharisees? Are we looking down on sinners? Are we proud of our own righteousness? The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that God doesn't break a bruised reed. Instead, throughout the Bible, we see that God is against those who are proud. We should examine our hearts to see if pride has taken root and do whatever it takes to dig it out. (Randy Joe Bland)
Has pride taken root in your heart?
February 21, 2021: Anticipating Christ’s Return
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 25:1-13
CENTRAL TRUTH: The possibility that the Lord may return at any time should determine the priorities of our daily living.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my pupils will be able to tell others how they can be ready for Christ's return.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Waiting Virgins (Matthew 25:1-5)
II. The Coming King (Matthew 25:6-9)
III. The Just Reward (Matthew 25:10-13)
February 10, 2021: The Joy of the Righteous
February 14, 2021: Wickedness Punished
TITLE: The Folly of Opposing Christ
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 21:28-42
CENTRAL TRUTH: The work of the Lord may suffer reverses at the hands of opposers, but His cause will ultimately triumph.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my pupils will be able to list at least three results of opposing Christ.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Opposition Illustrated (Matthew 21:28-32)
II. Opposition Exposed (Matthew 21:33-39)
III. Opposition Punished (Matthew 21:40-46)
February 7, 2021: Justice in Judgment
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40
CENTRAL TRUTH: Christ the righteous Judge will reward us according to our works.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain why God allows the wheat and tares to grow together, and to tell what will happen to people who are not ready to meet God.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. An Evil Deed (Matthew 13:24-26)
II. A Wise Decision (Matthew 13:27-30)
III. A Certain Destiny (Matthew 13:36-43)
February 3, 2021: The Righteous and Wicked Separated
Wednesday, February 3
Read Matthew 13:47-52
"So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just" (v.49)
Standing in the barn, peering at the feed barrels, I was struggling with identifying which one contained catfish feed, horse pellets, or chicken feed. I had not et learned the characteristics of each type of feed. I soon discovered that catfish feed is little balls. Horse pellets are longer. Chicken feed is smaller pellets. It is no longer a problem to fill the feed bucket with the desired food for the correct animal.
At the end of the world, the characteristics of the wicket and the just will be easy for the angels to distinguish. The just have been transformed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Their lives are filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
It will be too late for the wicked to accept God's gift. Their lives have not been changed. Their lives will be recognized by the sins of lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy, and pride. Prepare today to be identified with the just! Jesus paid the price, accept His gift. (Tamara M. Crawford)
There's a great day coming,
A great day coming,
There's a great day coming by and by,
When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left
-- Will L. Thompson
Does your life emanate righteousness or wickedness?