sundayschool

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 15

Life And Covenant In The Blood

MEMORY VERSE: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” – Leviticus 17:11

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 24:4-8 KJV

INTRODUCTION: Biologically, blood is that vital liquid flowing in the bodies of many types of animals that usually conveys nutrients and oxygen. In vertebrates, it is coloured red by haemoglobin, conveyed by arteries and veins, pumped by the heart and usually generated in the bone marrow. Biblically, blood is used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in animal (Lev.17:11a). In the New Testament, it is commonly used in relation to the atoning blood of Christ. Without the blood, life ceases to exist in the body physically. There is also a link between the cleansing power of the blood physically and spiritually. This is why it is important to understand the basic principles underlying blood covenant.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Biblical Evidences That Life Is In The Blood
2. Meaning And Biblical Instances Of Blood Covenant

1. BIBLICAL EVIDENCES THAT LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD
   The proof that the life of an animal (including humans) is in the blood can be found in the fact that the voice of Abel’s blood cried out from the ground (Genesis 4:10; Hebrews 12:24). It is also unlawful to eat flesh with the blood (Genesis 9:4). The shedding of man’s blood amounts to
   destroying God’s creation and image (Genesis 9:6; Psalm 106:38). It is the blood that activates the body to praise God (Psalm 30:9). More importantly, the blood of Jesus redeems and gives eternal life (John 6:53; Ephesians 1:7). The blood is a witness to the fact that God sacrificed His
   Son (Jesus Christ) to save the world (1John 5:7-9). That shed blood has the power to purge us from all sins (Hebrews 9:22; 1John 1:7)

2. MEANING AND BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF BLOOD COVENANT
   Generally, a covenant is a contract or agreement between two or more parties. It is a solemn promise made binding by an oath which may be either verbal or symbolic. Biblically, the Hebrew word ‘beriyth’ translated covenant means “to cut” which literally has the idea of a blood covenant (1Samuel 18:3; Hebrews 9:18). The divine covenants were ratified by the sacrifice of a victim to show that without atonement there could be no communication of blessings and salvation from God to man (Genesis 15:1-8; Exodus 24:6-8). In some parts of the world and most of the times, a blood covenant is the strongest type of covenant two people could enter into. In fact, every spiritual covenant is sealed with the blood (Hebrews 9:18).
   Blood covenant existed in diverse forms of relationships in the days of the Bible. Such instances
   existed between man and idols (1Kings 18:26-28); man and man (1Samuel 18:3); man and God
   (Exodus 12:13; 24:8).

CONCLUSION: The blood covenant is the strongest form of covenant. There is an existing blood
covenant between God the father and Jesus Christ which every believer benefits from.

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the term blood biologically and biblically.
2. Mention five facts that establish blood covenant as a biblical principle.

FURTHER READING:
MONDAY: Genesis 9:4-10;
TUESDAY: Psalm 106:38;
WEDNESDAY: 1 John 5:7-9;
THURSDAY: Genesis 15:1-8;
FRIDAY: 1Kings18:26-28;
SATURDAY: Exodus.24:4-8;
SUNDAY: Exodus12:13.