sunday

MEMORY VERSE: “Man that is in honour, and understand not, is like the beasts that perish.” Psalms 49:20

BIBLE PASSAGE: 3 John 2-4

INTRODUCTION

After we surrendered our lives to Jesus, He gave us our redemption package. Inside this package is everything that will make life enjoyable to us. These things make Christianity delightful and beautiful. It is therefore, expedient that we unfold our redemption package to fully enjoy its benefits.

OUTLINE

1. BARRIERS TO ENJOYING THE REDEMPTION PACKAGE

2. UNFOLDING THE REDEMPTION PACKAGE

BARRIERS TO ENJOYING THE REDEMPTION PACKAGE

There are some barriers that might limit Christians from enjoying the full benefits of redemption. Ignorance of biblical truths is one of them John 8:32. These benefits are written all over the pages of the Bible. We must search them out to know them John 5:39; Acts 17:11. Until we discover them, we cannot enjoy them Isaiah 5:13; Hosea 4:6.

Another reason is that some Christians have been wrongly taught to be content with their present state. Sometimes you hear them say, “Thank God, I am saved: at least, I am going to Heaven”. Some Christians may decide to live and die like Lazarus: sick, afflicted, and poor; while others decide to live and die like Abraham; rich and healthy Luke 16:20-21; 3 John 2. Do not be content with your present state, if it is not a pleasant one. We must revolt against lack, want, sicknesses, affliction, and any other thing that does not bring glory to God in our lives.

UNFOLDING THE REDEMPTION PACKAGE

Some of the things that accompany salvation can be broadly categorized as follows:

1. Deliverance: This is being set free from the powers of kingdom darkness. This includes:
2. Deliverance from curses and evil covenants Galatians 3:13; Romans 8:1 
3. Deliverance from the spirit of fear 2 Timothy. 1:7.

Fear is a torment 1 John 4:18.

iii. Deliverance from demonic oppressions Isaiah 49:24-26; Luke 10:19

6. Deliverance from the wrath of God Romans 5:9; Ephesians 5:6.

2. Victory: This means triumphing, dominating, winning, succeeding, and conquering 1 Corinthians 15:57. In the victory package is victory over 

9. Sin Romans 6:14; 1 John 3:8-9.

19. Enemies Isaiah 59:19.

vii. Devil Revelation 12:11.

viii. Sickness and diseases Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 53:4-5.

1. Death (both physical and spiritual) – Isaiah 28:18a.

3. Prosperity: Abundant provisions have been made for us Psalms 118:25.

2 Corinthians 8:9; Job 36:11. However, some Christians are suffering, not because they are not saved, but because they are not meeting the conditions of the covenant of prosperity (sowing, giving, tithing, etc. Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6, 8.

CONCLUSION

If we, as Christians, look mournful and sickly, it may be that we have not been claiming our redemption benefits. We must claim our redemption package. It is our covenant right 2 Corinthians 9:8.

MEMORY VERSE: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.” – Psalms 22:26

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 5:5-6

INTRODUCTION:

The beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and future. Having discovered that the beatitudes are a series of eight blessings spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5, we shall do some exposition on verses 5 and 6 in this study.

LESSON OUTLINES:

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST

1. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth’ (Matthew 5:5).

The word ‘meek, from the original Greek language ‘praus’ refers to mildness, gentleness of spirit or humility. It was used to describe ‘reining in a stallion’. It is the idea of a horse being controlled by a bit and bridle. The horse is choosing to submit to authority.

This is meekness. It is power under constraint. “Meekness” is a humble attitude that expresses itself in the patient endurance of offences. Meekness is humility toward God and toward others. In other words, it is having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else (Eph. 4:1-2). It is power under control.

Meekness is not weakness. A weak person cannot do anything but a meek person can do something but chooses not to (Prov.16:32; 25:28).

Being too hasty in word and deed are possibly two of the most frequent weaknesses in people. A meek person would consider his actions before he acts hastily (James 1:1 21: 3:13). The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Col.3:12; 1Tim. 6:11; Zeph. 2:3), and is exemplified in Christ (Matt.11:29), Abraham Gen.13:8-12: 16:5-6), Moses (Num.12:3), David (Zech. 12:8; 2 Sam. 16:10,12), and Paul (1Cor. 9:19)

Peculiar promises are made to the meek. (Matt. 5:5 Isa 66:5). The humble would receive far greater than the arrogant and prideful. Not only do the meek enjoy more of life on earth because of their ability to be content, but they will possess the earth after Jesus’ return and triumphant entry. The meek are blessed.

2. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled’ (Matt.5:6). An ardent desire for anything is often represented in the Scriptures by hunger and thirst (Ps.42:1). As the body has its natural appetites of hunger and thirst for the food and drink suited to its nourishment, so has the soul (Ps.63:1-2). When the soul be- gins to hunger and thirst after righteousness or holiness, which is its proper food, we know that it must be purified by the Holy Spirit, and be made a partaker of that living bread (John 7:37-32), or perish everlastingly.

A desire for the blessings of pardon and peace; a deep sense of sin, and want, and wretchedness, is also represented by thirsting (Isa.55:1-2). Those who hunger and thirst, after the full salvation of God, will be blessed, satisfied and well-fed.

Those that are lost sinners and strongly desire to be holy shall be filled. Christ has made provision to satisfy all who truly desire to be holy (John.4:14; John.6:35; Ps.17:15).

Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness are blessed.

CONCLUSION:

If you are meek, you will be satisfied with the blessings of God on earth and filled with heavenly blessings.

Sunday School Lesson 47

SEEKING REVENGE

MEMORY VERSE: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 12:17-21

INTRODUCTION: Retaliation is a violent response to an act of harm or perceived injustice. To retaliate is to do something harmful or negative, to get revenge for some harm; to fight back or respond in kind to an injury or affront. Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated “vengeance”, revenge, and avenge” have the idea of punishment in their root meaning. The question of non-retaliation or non-violence is often discussed in relation to Matthew 5:38-44.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. What Does The Bible Say About Retaliation?
2. The Proper Christian Action

1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT REVENGE?

The Bible has much to say about revenge (retaliation, avenge or vengeance) that contradicts everything that feels right to many people (Isaiah 55:9). For instance, in Romans 12:19, believers are not expected to pay back any evil done against them. Proverbs 25:21-22 and Romans 12:20 admonish us not to stoop low to the level of the offender. Believers should learn not to join their offenders in their errors (Romans 12:21; Matthew 5:39). Hebrews 10:30 also teaches us not to take matters out of God’s hands and insist on fixing things ourselves.

2. THE PROPER CHRISTIAN ACTION

Matthew 5:38-44 serve to drive home the point that a Christian, rather than avenging himself upon a brother who has done him a personal wrong should love his enemies, bless those that curse him, do good to those that hate him, and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute him. Self-vengeance has no place in the Christian life; we should allow God to bring His vengeance on our enemies rather than taking vengeance ourselves (Romans 12:19).

As believers, we must resist the impulse to retaliate but rather live at peace with all men as much as possible (Romans 12:18). Our job as Christians is to forgive, not retaliate (Luke 6:27-31). when we follow God’s commands to love, forgive, and do well to those who wrong us (Matthew 5:44), we can trust that our Defender will do what is right (Psalm 20:1; Zechariah 12:8). We can also set healthy boundaries in destructive relationships (2 Corinthians 6:17; Proverbs 22:24; Ezra 10:11) and make our ways pleasing unto God (Proverbs 16:7).

CONCLUSION: The scripture enjoins us to live peaceably with all men as much as possible. Romans 12:18.

Sunday School Lesson 21

The God Chasers

MEMORY VERSE:  “My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” – Psalm 63:8

BIBLE PASSAGE:Psalms 63:1-8 KJV

INTRODUCTION: A God chaser is a person whose passion for God’s presence presses him to chase the impossible in the hope that the uncatchable might catch him. A child chases a loving parent until suddenly the strong arms of the father enfold the chaser (Gen. 5:24; Phil. 3:12).

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Examples Of God Chasers
2. The God Chaser’s Map

1. EXAMPLES OF GOD CHASERS

The Bible records examples of those who diligently sought after God and were found of Him. They include: Enoch (Genesis 5:22, 24); Moses (Exodus 33:13-23); Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30); Ezra (Ezra 7:10); Daniel (Daniel 6:10-22); David (Psalm 63:1-8); and Paul (Philippians 3:7-14). They were not chasing after God because of what they wanted for themselves alone, but whole-heartedly believed God (John 6:65-69). They also acknowledged their emptiness and nothingness without God (John 15:5).

2. THE GOD CHASER’S MAP

A map gives a representation of a location needed for navigation. Anyone chasing after God must understand His spiritual location. While God is omnipresent, His manifest presence is only for those who diligent chase after Him. Hence among others, the Lord will be found in the place of praise (Psalm 100:3-4; 22:3). He will be found in the place of prayer and fasting (2 Chronicles 20:3; Ezra 8:21; Daniel 9:1-3). You will also find the Lord when you strive to live in holiness (2 Chronicles 34:3; Ezra 6.21; Hebrews 12:14). Ultimately, the Lord will be found in His Word (John 5:39; Ezra 7:10; Psalm 34:4).

CONCLUSION: We require the Lord to help us and be on our side when seeking the Lord. We cannot do it by human efforts. Let us call on the Lord today to help us.

QUESTIONS:

1. Mention other examples of God chasers apart from those listed above.
2. Where can one find God and be found of Him?

FURTHER READING:

Monday; Psalm 119:63 (KJV)
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

Tuesday: Psalm 119:115 (KJV)
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Wednesday: Proverbs 9:6 (KJV)
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Thursday: 1 Corinthians 15:33-35 (KJV)
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

Friday: Luke 4:42 (KJV)
42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.

Saturday: Genesis 32:24-27 (KJV)
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

Sunday: 1 Samuel 30:1- 6 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Sunday School Lesson 16

Forbidden Blood Covenants

MEMORY VERSE: “Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.” – Leviticus 7:26

BIBLE PASSAGE:Hebrews 9:14-22

INTRODUCTION: Having understood that life resides in the blood with biblical evidences (Lev.17:11) and that every spiritual covenant is sealed with the blood (Heb.9:18). Also, it should be noted that the blood of animals shed in the Old Testament could not cleanse the sins of man once and for all whereas the blood of Jesus shed as a covenant of redemption carries so much power to save man eternally. Covenants have the power of gathering, protecting and blessing people in all circumstances of life. On the other hand, any wrong use of the principle of covenant can bring about grave consequences. In this lesson, we shall attempt to discuss the instances of wrong approaches to blood covenant, the consequences and the way out.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Wrong Approaches To Blood Covenant
2. Consequences Of Unholy Blood Covenants

1. WRONG APPROACHES TO BLOOD COVENANT

The blood connects the physical and the spiritual world as well as the temporal and eternal world. Blood covenant is usually made when the blood of two individuals mingle. It could be done by cutting the palms of the individuals and then the shaking of hands to combine the blood. It could also be that a few drops of blood from each person is mingled in a glass of wine and then drunk by both. In either case, the blood is mixed, thus indicating that two lives were mixed. Incision (piercing or cutting of the body for ritual, protection or religious purposes) is another way of initiating an individual into a blood covenant with demons (1 Kings.18:28). Sometimes, an animal’s blood could be shed as representative of both individuals mingling their lives together. After all, “the life is in the blood. (Lev.17:11). Regardless of the form it takes, the Bible forbids the mixing or drinking of blood (Lev.7:26), cutting of the skin and incisions which leave permanent scars as a reminder of the covenant from that time on. The Satanic realm fully understands the power of the blood covenant and this is why as soon as a person starts to progress in the satanic order, he is introduced to blood oaths which become progressively harsher and more prescriptive.

Hence, anyone involved in ungodly soul ties as “lovers”, illicit sexual relationships, occult blood sacrifices, suicides, homicides, abortion, etc., enters into a deal with Satan. In this manner, people unite with demons either consciously or unconsciously (Gen.4:8-12). Every believer should avoid this kind of blood covenant at all cost.

2. CONSEQUENCES OF UNHOLY BLOOD COVENANT

Blood covenant among humans is scripturally forbidden. The Bible admonishes that our ‘yes’ should be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ should be ‘no’ (Matt.5:34-37). If swearing is unscriptural (James 5:12), entering into a blood covenant is evil and can open doorways to demonic afflictions. It can also truncate the destiny of those involved and their descendants (2Sam.12:10-12).

Sexual intercourse also constitutes a blood covenant. Since marriage is a life-long covenant, those who are yet to marry must prayerfully choose who to marry (1Cor.6:16; 2Cor.6:14). This sharing of blood creates a special spiritual connection between souls. Blood diseases can also be sexually transmitted from one partner to the other. Sexual intercourse among the unmarried is a terrible sin (1Cor. 6:18). Generational curses can be transmitted through this blood covenant (2 Sam.12:10-11). In addition, the satanic realm is quick to exact the death penalty on their blood covenant victims (John 10:10). Such sudden death could be painted as accidents, heart attack, unclassified sicknesses, etc (2 Cor. 2:11).

There are many people that have entangled themselves through blood covenants. If you are one of them, the consequences may be deadly except you confess, renounce and cry unto God for total deliverance (John 8:32; Isa.49:24-26).

CONCLUSION: Avoid entering into any form of illicit blood covenant with anyone. It is evil.

QUESTIONS:

1. What are the wrong approaches to blood covenant?
2. What are the consequences of unholy blood covenant?

FURTHER READING:
Monday: Leviticus 7:26;
Tuesday: 2 Samuel 12:10-12
Wednesday: Genesis 4:8-12
Thursday: Isaiah 49:24-26
Friday: 1 Kings 18:28
Saturday: Leviticus 17:11
Sunday: Hebrews 9:18