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The Unity of the Church
Lesson 3 - June 18, 2017
Focus Text: 1 Peter 1:22--2:10
Central Truth: Christians belong to each other because they belong to Christ.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways that unity can be demonstrated.
Lesson Outline:
- Children in the Same Family (1 Peter 1:22--2:3)
- Stones in the Same Building (1 Peter 2:4-8)
- Citizens of the Same Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9, 10)
Our Duty as Watchmen
In "Biblical Perspective" I.C. Holland writes:
Watchmen were on duty in the Temple. Psalm 134 speaks to the “servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.” For the safety of the people who dwelt in walled cities, watchmen kept their courses day and night. To Ezekiel, God said, “Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me” (33:7). The prophets of old were “God's remembrancers,” as are preachers and pastors of the Church age. It is their solemn business “to call to God's remembrance the needs and claims of His people, and the obligations of His covenant promises” (Pulpit Comm.). This we can understand to be importunate and intercessory prayer, the duty of all Christians. Paul taught us to pray without ceasing. In our prayers, we Christians are allowed to remind God of our faith in His covenant promises.
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 12.
What is the Church's Relationship to Israel?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Don Callaway writes:
At the center of this lesson lie two questions: The first is the broader question of the Church's relationship with Israel, and more specifically, whether Old Testament promises to Israel apply to the Church today. Second, if these verses do apply to the Church, at what point should we expect these promises to be fulfilled? Two general approaches have been taken in addressing the relationship between Israel and the Church. Replacement Theology teaches that the Church has replaced Israel, and therefore is heir to all her promises and blessings. A second approach understands the Church to exist as a separate organism from Israel and therefore has no claim to her promises. This approach would prevent the New Testament Church from appropriating many Old Testament promises, including the ones provided here in Isaiah 62. If pushed to an extreme it might also lead to the faulty conclusion that Israel is under a sep-arate salvation plan than the Gentile Church. What do the Scriptures say?
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 13.
Assurance for the Church
In "God's Word for Today" Gordon Snider writes:
“The check is in the mail.” There is likely no other promise received with so much skepticism as this one. We have heard the promise before, and it didn't prove true. We will believe it when we see the check. Many people hear the promises in the Bible with the same skepticism. The promises seem too good to be true. In fact, Isaiah was facing the same response to his ministry. God was making great promises to His people through the prophet, but the future seemed to contradict the assurances of good. So in 61:11 Isaiah raised the problem dealt with in our lesson today: “How can I be sure that the good God has promised will really happen?” In our lesson today, God's Old Testament people were facing captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem – the holy city. The modern church is facing renewed persecution from without and increased apathy from within, either of which potentially could destroy our “holy city.” Still, some people say that “the future is as bright as the promises of God.” How can they be so sure? The answers Isaiah gave to the Old Testament church are relevant to the New Testament church as well.
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.
Promise of a Universal Gospel
Read Isaiah 60:3-7
“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (v. 3).
As an insect is drawn to light, the conversion of souls is described here as they fly to Christ, to the Church, and to His Word. As we embrace the wonderful light of salvation, we become a lighthouse for the gospel. The gospel message is universal, reaching around the globe to extraordinarily transform lives for God's glory. Sowing seeds for the Master will always result in a harvest. His Word is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” God's Word assures us that when we are busy doing His work, He will give an increase, an abundant harvest (Isa. 55:11). God is no respecter of persons. As He has faithfully dealt with us through conviction, He will speak to those for which we pray. He created us and knows the best way to get our attention! We can confidently bring our burden for lost souls to Him. He will break down language barriers whether we are in China or Chinatown. We can pray on the continent of Asia, and He can answer our prayers for someone in Europe. Prayer is the original WiFi connection available 24/7. The gospel has no boundaries as its followers carry the good news throughout the world. (Beverly Tatum)
Bear the good tidings all over the world,
Let the bright banner of love be unfurled,
Wherever sorrow and sin shall be found,
There let the news of salvation resound.
— Eliza Edmunds Hewitt
Let Him shine brightly through you!
This devotional is the Thursday, June 8, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.