Who do you say that I am?
Emmanuel- God With Us
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-24, Matthew 28:16-20, Isaiah 43:1-6
Optional: Psalm 139:7-10, Joshua 1:1-9
Memory Verse: "Go and make disciples…And surely I will be with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (Pre-K to grade 3)
The angel told Joseph not to be afraid, not to divorce Mary (betrothal was legally binding) because the unborn child, a son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was to be called "Jesus" (meaning Yahweh saves) because he would "save his people from their sins." Then the angel said this was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) and the baby boy was to be called Emmanuel (meaning God with us). Joseph obeyed.
Jesus, who is the very WORD of God, temporarily laid aside his power and glory to take on our humanity (become incarnate, a man) and live among us (tabernacled/tented John 1:14). He revealed God to us, dying for our sins as the Lamb of God and conquering death and sin so that we would have the opportunity to have him living IN us and live with him forever. (See Philippians 2).
God was known as "God with us" in the Old Testament (Jesus' Bible), but in Jesus, God became "with us" in a whole new way. (As Jesus told his disciples before Pentecost, he, the Holy Spirit, is with you and shall be in you.
Now look at some examples of "God with us" in the Old and New Testaments. David speaks of God as his Shepherd and says, "I will fear no evil for you are with me." (Psalm 23:4) "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1) (See Psalm 100:3 "Know that the Lord, he is God; it is he who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.") A word received: Come to me, I AM your good shepherd. I know you, I know your name. You are not a stranger to me; I AM with you.
Psalm 139:7-10 says that God knows everything about us, even when we sit down or stand up and every word before we say it! (Wow!) "You hem me in": God puts a hedge of protection around his people--unless we choose to jump over it! David asks "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? Even the darkness will not be dark to you." God is not only everywhere but knows and cares about us. He is not a God far off BUT we can run away from him (like the prodigal son). We have to respond/ make a choice, over and over, to respond to God's desire to be "with us". In John 15:9-12 Jesus makes it clear that we can choose not to remain/abide/live in him, even though "apart from me you can do nothing" and we will be like the withered branch. "'For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.'" (Isaiah 43:3) A word received: You are precious to me and I hold you in my hand. "'Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.'" (Isaiah 43:4) A word received: I gave my life for you and I give my Spirit to you so that I can always be with you. Don't shut me out by hardness of heart.
God speaks in Isaiah 43:1-6, promising us that he will be with those who turn to him--not matter what happens (fire, flood, etc.) "Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." (Isaiah 43:2) Word received: Everyone goes through hard times--times of testing and being refined. I want you to look for me in the hard times. I will be there with you in the midst of the storm.
Paul in the New Testament says something similar, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:7-10) In 2 Corinthians 11:23-30,and12:7-9 Paul tells about some difficult things he has been through but tells us what the Lord said to him, "My strength is made perfect in weakness" so that God will be glorified not Paul. Paul sets a good example for us when he focuses on Jesus. "Not that I have already…been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."(Philippians 3:12-14)
When God gives a task, he not only gives the ability to do it, he promised to be with the person! In Exodus 3:11-12, when God sends Moses to Egypt to bring God's people out of slavery, Moses objects, "who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? And God said, I will be with you." When God turned over leadership of the Israelites to Joshua God said to him, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous." Then God told him to be careful to obey all the law that Moses had given him and think about it day and night, and finally, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5-6, 9)
When Paul was in Corinth, Greece, after he had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi and the Christians had gotten him out of town, he experienced a lot of opposition is several places. Then the Lord spoke to him, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent, for I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)
Joshua and Caleb were sent as part of the spies, leaders of the twelve tribes, to spy out the land of Canaan before going up against it. The other ten said it was a good land but they warned against trying to conquer it because those people are stronger than we are and all the people there are giants. (Numbers 13:32) But Joshua and Caleb said, "Do not rebel against the LORD and do not be afraid…the LORD is with us." (14:9)
David, the shepherd boy went out to fight the 9 ft. tall giant Goliath with a sling-shot when all the Israelite army was afraid. David asked, who is this who defies the armies of the living God? (1 Samuel 17) When King Saul questioned him, David told how he had killed both lions and bears who had attacked his sheep and said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (vs.37)
Identify the choices made by each. What choices do we need to make? How do I align my life to "be with God"-walk with God? We need to make constant choices to trust God and his purposes for me in the face of the giants.
How do we report to others? Be honest but combine it with trust in God as Joshua and Caleb did. A new perspective! Question: What situations have you been put in by God in the past and how did you report it.?
In the same way as with Moses, Joshua and the others, Jesus gave his disciples after his resurrection the biggest assignment of all, the Great Commission. We too are called to share that task. Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you. And lo, I AM with you always, even to the end of the age."
Jesus promised (John 14:18 ) that he would "not leave you orphans, I will come to you" with the Holy Spirit. We are able to do whatever task the Lord has for us by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent to live in his disciples. Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you: and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 )
"'Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west;'" (Isaiah 43:5) A word received: I will find you and be with you wherever you go.
"'I will say to the north, "Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!"'" (Isaiah 43:6) A word received: My heart's desire is to restore the captives and hold them in my arms.
In what ways can we focus on the LORD being with us? How do you "Practice the Presence" of God? (example: Blessing God and giving thanks for little things.)
Other Words received by teachers for this lesson.
"But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1) (See Psalm 100:3 "Know that the Lord, he is God; it is he who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.") A word received: Come to me, I AM your good shepherd. I know you, I know your name. You are not a stranger to me; I AM with you.
"When you pass through the waters I will be with you: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." (Isaiah 43:2) Word received: Everyone goes through hard times--times of testing and being refined. I want you to look for me in the hard times. I will be there with you in the midst of the storm.
"'For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.'" (Isaiah 43:3) A word received: You are precious to me and I hold you in my hand.
"'Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.'" (Isaiah 43:4) A word received: I gave my life for you and I give my Spirit to you so that I can always be with you. Don't shut me out by hardness of heart.
No Sunday School classes on December 27 and January 3.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 12, December 13, 2009
Who do you say that I am?
Prince of Peace
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Isaiah 9:6-7, John 14:26-27, John 20:19-22, Colossians 1:15-23 Philippians 4: 4-9
Memory Verse: "For he himself is our peace." Ephesians 2:14
The Hebrew word for peace is "salem", meaning safe, wholeness, peaceful. It is part of the standard greeting even today, "Shalom A-la-cum" (Peace be with you.)
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 is talking about the promised Messiah. Jesus is that promised "anointed" one who will be a descendent of King David and his Kingdom will last forever. All the names in this passage are about a Ruler. Where God rules there will be peace. "Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." And God will accomplish this. "Prince of Peace" describes a ruler, a king. "Peace" describes his character and the character of his kingdom.
The angels who told the shepherd in the fields that the Messiah (Christ) who is the Savior would bring peace on earth to those "on whom God's favor rests" meaning those with whom he is well pleased. (Luke 2:14) God is giving his peace in sending Jesus --to those who would receive him.
God had some things to say in the Old Testament to his people about peace long before Jesus came. Psalm 119:165 and Isaiah 26:3 are both telling (and promising) us how to receive and keep God's peace in our hearts. (See NOTE). "Great peace have they who love your law/Torah (teaching of God) and nothing will cause them to stumble." (Psalm 119:165) "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (holds fast) on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever for the LORD God is an everlasting rock."( Isaiah 26:3-4) God has a peace/his peace he wants to give us but there is a condition, not only trusting in him but keeping our minds and hearts steadfast on him. We need to trust God to receive his peace. (Have a time of reflection on the areas in which we are struggling to trust God. Confess our lack of trust and ask him to renew/enable our trust in him for that person/thing. BE SPECIFIC.)
God the Father sent Jesus ("God with us") to reconcile us to himself. "While we were still sinners Christ died for us….Therefore since we are justified (set right) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have access to this grace in which we stand."(Romans 5:1,8 ) In Isaiah 53:5 God promised that his Servant (the Messiah) would deal with our sins and separation from God by dying for us. "He was pierced for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him." Jesus paid the price for our salvation and peace. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things...by making peace through his blood shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-23) But we have to receive it.
Jesus is the source of genuine peace. Jesus wept over Jerusalem shortly before he was crucified because they did not recognize what would bring them peace and now disaster would come upon them. (Luke 19:41-44). A parallel in the Old Testament is Isaiah 48:18 "O that you had heeded my commandments, then your peace would have been like a river."
During his ministry on earth, Jesus demonstrated that he had the authority to bring peace, for example when he quieted the violent storm on the lake, commanding, "Peace, be still" and the wind and the waves quieted down. His disciples looked at each other and asked, "Who is this, that even the wind and waves obey him?" (Mark 4:41) Notice that the disciples had to go and ask him for help.
Peace ("salem" or currently pronounced "shalom") is much more than the absence of conflict. It means safe, whole, peaceful. Jesus brought wholeness to those many who mourned and many who were sick. He brought the wholeness of forgiveness to some and through his death and resurrection, to all who receive him. Interestingly, "Jerusalem" means "city of peace"--even though it has experienced more war than most places. In Psalm 122:6 we are asked to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Abraham met King Melchizedek who was King of Salem. In Hebrews (5:6) Melchizedek is a pattern for Jesus as our High Priest, who is also our King, the Prince of Peace. The heavenly Jerusalem will be a place of perfect peace.
On the night before he died, Jesus blessed his disciples and gives HIS peace to them. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:26-27) At the same time he told them, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you", referring to the Holy Spirit he was going to send to them. After his resurrection Jesus greeted his disciples who were hiding from fear, with, "Peace be with you" and showed them his hands and his side and then repeated his greeting, "Peace be with you" and gave them his Holy Spirit. Later, at Pentecost, they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8 ) Jesus' peace is different from the world's peace. It can remain even when our hearts would normally be troubled and afraid.
Jesus offers peace to us. First there is the basic peace of reconciliation with God and forgiveness when we receive Jesus into our lives. But there is so much more. Paul in Colossians 3:15 instructs us, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one Body (the church) you were called to peace." In verses 5-10, 12-14, 16-17 Paul goes into more detail about how to choose to let God's peace rule. He has similar advice in Philippians 4:4-9. "Rejoice in the LORD always…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Notice the sequence here. God's peace is not a passive thing but results from turning to him and being in step with God and what he is doing.
Doug Koch has a story to share about this verse. When his grandson, Alexander came close to death three months after he was born, he remembers driving down to Albany Med following the ambulance. "For some reason I just felt like praising the Lord over and over. A deep peace came over me, just like Philippians 4:7. I didn't know what to think." On another occasion he was disturbed about a TV show debating Jesus' resurrection and he wondered about how he would witness to an unbeliever who had watched it. The Lord showed him that you can only have that deep settled peace in you by having Jesus in the center of your life, and that peace which only he can give is from him, our resurrected Lord.
Now reflect on the words that the Lord has given the teachers. What do you have to share?
"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'" (John 20:19) A word received: Pray for my peace. Let my love come into your heart. My love casts out fear. (James 4:19)
"When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20) A word received: I want you to experience their joy in seeing me.
"So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.'" (John 20:21) A word received: Go forth in my peace. It is not the peace that the world gives; it is the peace that flows out of my relationship with my father.
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:22) A word received: This is the way to my peace -- to have my Holy Spirit in your heart.
"'If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'" (John 20:23) A word received: My peace should lead you to forgive others. As you have received my love and peace and forgiveness, let others receive your love and peace and forgiveness.
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2) A word received: I want my light to shine forth so that men and women and children will know my peace.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) A word received: I came as a child. I came without strength or position, but I came with peace that drew people to my father. Pray for my peace to shine forth in your lives.
[NOTE: "heart" in the Bible does not mean just feelings as we often use it today. It implies an act of the will. Sometimes it refers to a person's character. It includes our thinking and reason, our conscience. "To summarize: the heart is above all the central place in a man to which God turns, where religious experience has its root, which determines conduct.", (Theological Wordbook of the Bible, p.145)]
Prince of Peace
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Isaiah 9:6-7, John 14:26-27, John 20:19-22, Colossians 1:15-23 Philippians 4: 4-9
Memory Verse: "For he himself is our peace." Ephesians 2:14
The Hebrew word for peace is "salem", meaning safe, wholeness, peaceful. It is part of the standard greeting even today, "Shalom A-la-cum" (Peace be with you.)
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 is talking about the promised Messiah. Jesus is that promised "anointed" one who will be a descendent of King David and his Kingdom will last forever. All the names in this passage are about a Ruler. Where God rules there will be peace. "Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." And God will accomplish this. "Prince of Peace" describes a ruler, a king. "Peace" describes his character and the character of his kingdom.
The angels who told the shepherd in the fields that the Messiah (Christ) who is the Savior would bring peace on earth to those "on whom God's favor rests" meaning those with whom he is well pleased. (Luke 2:14) God is giving his peace in sending Jesus --to those who would receive him.
God had some things to say in the Old Testament to his people about peace long before Jesus came. Psalm 119:165 and Isaiah 26:3 are both telling (and promising) us how to receive and keep God's peace in our hearts. (See NOTE). "Great peace have they who love your law/Torah (teaching of God) and nothing will cause them to stumble." (Psalm 119:165) "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (holds fast) on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever for the LORD God is an everlasting rock."( Isaiah 26:3-4) God has a peace/his peace he wants to give us but there is a condition, not only trusting in him but keeping our minds and hearts steadfast on him. We need to trust God to receive his peace. (Have a time of reflection on the areas in which we are struggling to trust God. Confess our lack of trust and ask him to renew/enable our trust in him for that person/thing. BE SPECIFIC.)
God the Father sent Jesus ("God with us") to reconcile us to himself. "While we were still sinners Christ died for us….Therefore since we are justified (set right) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have access to this grace in which we stand."(Romans 5:1,8 ) In Isaiah 53:5 God promised that his Servant (the Messiah) would deal with our sins and separation from God by dying for us. "He was pierced for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him." Jesus paid the price for our salvation and peace. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things...by making peace through his blood shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-23) But we have to receive it.
Jesus is the source of genuine peace. Jesus wept over Jerusalem shortly before he was crucified because they did not recognize what would bring them peace and now disaster would come upon them. (Luke 19:41-44). A parallel in the Old Testament is Isaiah 48:18 "O that you had heeded my commandments, then your peace would have been like a river."
During his ministry on earth, Jesus demonstrated that he had the authority to bring peace, for example when he quieted the violent storm on the lake, commanding, "Peace, be still" and the wind and the waves quieted down. His disciples looked at each other and asked, "Who is this, that even the wind and waves obey him?" (Mark 4:41) Notice that the disciples had to go and ask him for help.
Peace ("salem" or currently pronounced "shalom") is much more than the absence of conflict. It means safe, whole, peaceful. Jesus brought wholeness to those many who mourned and many who were sick. He brought the wholeness of forgiveness to some and through his death and resurrection, to all who receive him. Interestingly, "Jerusalem" means "city of peace"--even though it has experienced more war than most places. In Psalm 122:6 we are asked to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Abraham met King Melchizedek who was King of Salem. In Hebrews (5:6) Melchizedek is a pattern for Jesus as our High Priest, who is also our King, the Prince of Peace. The heavenly Jerusalem will be a place of perfect peace.
On the night before he died, Jesus blessed his disciples and gives HIS peace to them. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:26-27) At the same time he told them, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you", referring to the Holy Spirit he was going to send to them. After his resurrection Jesus greeted his disciples who were hiding from fear, with, "Peace be with you" and showed them his hands and his side and then repeated his greeting, "Peace be with you" and gave them his Holy Spirit. Later, at Pentecost, they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8 ) Jesus' peace is different from the world's peace. It can remain even when our hearts would normally be troubled and afraid.
Jesus offers peace to us. First there is the basic peace of reconciliation with God and forgiveness when we receive Jesus into our lives. But there is so much more. Paul in Colossians 3:15 instructs us, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one Body (the church) you were called to peace." In verses 5-10, 12-14, 16-17 Paul goes into more detail about how to choose to let God's peace rule. He has similar advice in Philippians 4:4-9. "Rejoice in the LORD always…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Notice the sequence here. God's peace is not a passive thing but results from turning to him and being in step with God and what he is doing.
Doug Koch has a story to share about this verse. When his grandson, Alexander came close to death three months after he was born, he remembers driving down to Albany Med following the ambulance. "For some reason I just felt like praising the Lord over and over. A deep peace came over me, just like Philippians 4:7. I didn't know what to think." On another occasion he was disturbed about a TV show debating Jesus' resurrection and he wondered about how he would witness to an unbeliever who had watched it. The Lord showed him that you can only have that deep settled peace in you by having Jesus in the center of your life, and that peace which only he can give is from him, our resurrected Lord.
Now reflect on the words that the Lord has given the teachers. What do you have to share?
"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'" (John 20:19) A word received: Pray for my peace. Let my love come into your heart. My love casts out fear. (James 4:19)
"When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20) A word received: I want you to experience their joy in seeing me.
"So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.'" (John 20:21) A word received: Go forth in my peace. It is not the peace that the world gives; it is the peace that flows out of my relationship with my father.
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:22) A word received: This is the way to my peace -- to have my Holy Spirit in your heart.
"'If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'" (John 20:23) A word received: My peace should lead you to forgive others. As you have received my love and peace and forgiveness, let others receive your love and peace and forgiveness.
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2) A word received: I want my light to shine forth so that men and women and children will know my peace.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) A word received: I came as a child. I came without strength or position, but I came with peace that drew people to my father. Pray for my peace to shine forth in your lives.
[NOTE: "heart" in the Bible does not mean just feelings as we often use it today. It implies an act of the will. Sometimes it refers to a person's character. It includes our thinking and reason, our conscience. "To summarize: the heart is above all the central place in a man to which God turns, where religious experience has its root, which determines conduct.", (Theological Wordbook of the Bible, p.145)]
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