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August 23, 2020: The Measure of Greatness
PRINTED TEXT: Mark 10:35 45
CENTRAL TRUTH: Service to Christ and to others is the true measure of greatness.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways in which they may serve others.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Greatness Desired (Mark 10:35 40)
II. Greatness Described (Mark 10:41 44)
III. Greatness Demonstrated (Mark 10:45)
Waiting for Christ’s Coming.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18.
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him” (v. 14).
From 1955-58, my father was pastor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the little town of Dublin, IN. There were not many men in that church. I can only think of three. One of them was Donnie Day. This brother carried his guitar and songbook from revival to revival in our area. The song that he sang that sticks in my mind said, “Wait a little longer, please Jesus…A few more days to get our loved ones in.”
Waiting is usually not much fun, at least not for me. I often find myself counting from 1-100, over and over, while I wait – just hoping the event will happen before I finish. For me, waiting is associated with inactivity – wasted time. But Donnie Day’s song reminds us that not all waiting is time wasted. Waiting may mean the difference between a loved one being saved or lost.
But how can we redeem the time while we wait? A retired missionary from Alaska, Sis. Honeycutt had a different perspective. For her, waiting on Jesus is like a waitress “waiting” on you at a restaurant. That person’s goal is to meet all your needs as best they can so that you will have a good experience.
How are we waiting on Jesus? Counting to 100 over and over again, wishing He would hurry up? Or are we busy meeting HIS needs? (Gordon L Snider)
“While I am waiting on Jesus to return, I will focus my mind on pleasing Him and meeting His needs.”
Preparing for Christ’s Return
PRINTED TEXT: Matthew 24:32 51
CENTRAL TRUTH: All should take heed to Christ's warning and prepare for His soon return.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify things a person must do to prepare for Christ's coming.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Time of His Coming (Matthew 24:32-36)
II. The Nature of His Coming (Matthew 24:37-41)
III. Be Ready for His Coming (Matthew 24:42-51)
Flee Hypocrisy
Read 1 Peter 2:1-5.
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (v. 2).
“I do not feed my children spoiled burgers…” Years ago, I was privileged to hear Attorney David Gibbs II illustrate the meaning of the Scripture, “Train up a child…” (Prov. 22:6a). He explained that to train a child is to reach back and touch the palette with wholesome food, because, once the palette senses the taste, it will remember it moving forward. Therefore, should spoiled meat touch the tastebuds, the partaker will instantly sense that the substance is not genuine, and will be able to reject it, thus preventing illness.
The best way to flee hypocrisy is to stay away from the company it hangs out with – malicious, envious, backbiting, disingenuous, selfish, criticizing people. Hypocrites love to add members to their cast, creating drama to deceive everyone around them. Removing oneself from their influence – in other words, “resisting the devil” – is a step that leads to spiritual growth. The sincere milk of the Word is nutritious, edifying, and whole; it is not watered down to 2% by distorting the truth.
Stay away from the drama in which Satan delights.
He’s a master at causing turmoil and strife.
Instead, search the Word – truth God wants you to know,
And feast on His promises so in wisdom you’ll grow. (R. B. Kuhn)
Acquire a taste for the good things of God; that’s the best way to avoid succumbing to the devil’s false food.
The Sin of Hypocrisy
PRINTED TEXT: Matthew 23:25 - 37
CENTRAL TRUTH: Christ is deeply grieved when men reject Him.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list reasons why hypocrisy is a sin.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Majoring on Minors (Matthew 23:16 22)
II. Emphasizing Externals (Matthew 23:23 28)
III. Condemned by Deity (Matthew 23:29 39)
Better in Love
Read 1 Corinthians 13:9-13.
Better in Love.
“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (v. 10).
This week we are focusing on God’s Better Plan. The world talks and sings a lot about love. So it is very evident that love is also a part of the world’s plan. So what makes the love that is in God’s plan better than the love that is in the world’s plan? To answer that question, read back through 1 Corinthians 13 – the chapter that describes God’s plan of love.
From this chapter, we can see the superiority of God’s love first because that love never ends. God never says, “I just cannot love that person anymore.” His love “never fails.” God’s love is also superior because it is not self-centered – it “seeketh not her own.” Further, this love is not based upon a fantasy, but upon truth – “rejoiceth in truth.” Verse 7 emphasizes that God’s love motivates us to positive action in the worst of times.
In comparison, the world’s love often ends, is often selfish, is based upon feeling rather than truth, and often turns to hate when circumstances change.
God never met a person He could not love! He has a better plan! (GLS)
Make my love like yours, dear Lord,
Unending, selfless, and true,
So that when others see my love,
They will quickly think of You. (GLS)