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FAMILY NEWSSUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE continues tonight at 6:00 P.M. Our study of archaeological support of the Bible is now dealing with the evidence for Paul's journey and writings and the conduct of the 1st century church. Come and be a part of this series. NEXT SUNDAY will be the week before Halloween. Much of today's lesson deals with what we perceive God to be like, and why in the past God has commanded the destruction of some of what we see taking place in Halloween celebrations. Next Sunday we will look at how Halloween evolved to be what it is today, and what we as Christians can participate in. Between Hollywood and a lot of fake news in the media some bizarre things are being claimed and/or taught. Come and be a part of looking into God's Word on this. CANCELATIONS: Wednesday, October 6, we ended up canceling the class. The reason was that we had too many people who were traveling and we had some sickness. We are re-setting our phone tree when weather or circumstances make it necessary for us to cancel a class or a service. If you DON'T want to be called when there is a cancellation, contact John Clayton, and we will make sure you are not on the list. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION: Look at songs: “God Is Love,” “God Will Take Care of You,” “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” “I Come to the Garden Alone”
A. There are many scriptures about God's love, etc.
I. THE EMPHASIS OF GOD'S WORD IS LOVE, NOT FEAR.
....Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; James 5:11.
B. Hebrews 10:31 paints a different picture.
....Are we supposed to fear God?
C. The Old Testament is full of dreadful stories.
....1 Samuel 15:3 — Why kill the innocent?
D. Why are you here today? Fear or love?A. 10 Commandments (John's reference should have been to Deuteronomy 6:5 and to Mark 12:29-31) — what is number 1?
B. Which is stronger, a relationship built on love or fear? Husband/wife? Parent/Child?
II. THERE IS A WAR BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL.
A. Job 1:6-12 — Job is a vehicle in this war.
III. WHAT ABOUT CASES LIKE THE AMALEKITES?
1. Job 2:1-13 — Look at Job's world.
B. We are Job. We are also vehicles with purpose.2. Look at what Job loses. C. God never answers Job — Job 42:3-6. A. What do we know about these people?
IV. WHAT ABOUT US AND THE WORLD WE LIVE IN NOW?
....Historical records, archaeological finds, grave markers and burial jars
B. Deuteronomy 18:9-13 — Why are these warnings given?
1. Gezer — children burned alive.
C. Leviticus 18:1-30 — Why the moral prohibitions?
2. Divination, visions, sorcery claimed — Acts 8:9 3. Black magic, witchcraft, spells, mediums 1. Animals and humans who died of STDs exist.
2. Tombs, headstones tell what people died of. 3. God had no choice. A. The “agape” that Jesus calls us to is unique.
B. Our world is in chaos — 1 Corinthians 5:12. ....Our job is to lead by example — See THE BACK PAGE below.
C. Look at the lyrics of song, “God Is Love,” again.THE BACK PAGEHOW DO YOU VIEW GOD?When I was in boot camp I had a sergeant who tried to scare us. He would get face to face with us and scream all kinds of insults telling us how worthless we were. The recruit standing next to me seemed to be oblivious to all the abuse, and when he was asked why, he simply said, “Sargent Crouch is not God.” He was right, and that insight affected all of us, even though several of us were atheists. Do we view God as a divine Sgt. Crouch? When you look up “fear” in a concordance and start reading the passages where the word “fear” occurs, what you see is not terror or panic in most cases; but, when used in reference to God, it is respect. God does not want us coming to him because we are afraid of him and what he will do to us if we do not. In John 21:15-17 we see the wonderful exchange between Jesus and Peter. What drove Peter was his real love for Jesus. When is your best time with God? Is it when you know you have messed up? Is it when you realize you are getting close to death? Is it when you win an argument? Look at song “I come to the garden alone,” just you and Jesus. “While the dew is still on the roses” before your day gets complicated. “I'd stay in the garden with Him” we would like to avoid the complications of life. “But He bids me go; … and He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.” When we see God involved in the destruction of cities and nations and individuals, it is not a blind hateful action of uncontrolled anger; but, rather an action forced by man's stupidity, selfishness, arrogance, and rebellion. We fail to remember that the biblical stories cover thousands of years, and God's patience is seen in how long he waits for humans to respond and clean up their act. Read 2 Peter 3:9 again and understand that God wants you to be saved; but, he will not force you. If you do not grow in love enough to obey Him, he will allow you to live and die in rebellion. Please do not let that happen. — John Clayton Our sign by the street! Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
