Psalm 103:1-2 (KJV) - Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Here are some reasons to “Bless the Lord” this Thanksgiving
WE ARE FORGIVEN – Vs. 3
WE ARE HEALED (Spiritually) – Vs. 3, Isaiah 53:4-5
WE ARE REDEEMED – Vs. 4
WE ARE CROWNED – Vs. 4
WE ARE SATISFIED – Vs. 5
WE ARE DEFENDED – Vs. 6
WE ARE SHOWN – Vs. 7
WE ARE LOVED – Vs. 8 – The word mercy means “love”.
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GENESIS 23 – ABOUT DEATH
In this chapter Abraham deals with the death of his beloved wife, Sarah.
Some things about death have not changed since the days of Abraham.
DEATH IS A TIME OF SORROW - Vss. 1-2
DEATH IS A TIME OF SUPPORT - Vss. 3-6
Dealing with the death of a loved is easier when there are those there to support you.
In Abraham's case, the Sons of Heath were supportive, offering to him a place of burial of his choice.
Praise God for those Christians who "…weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15)
DEATH IS A TIME OF SPENDING - Vss. 7-16
Abraham purchased a field with a cave in order to bury Sarah. We can't escape expenses when someone dies. However, I personally feel that we can spend too much. Although a casket is necessary, I don't think it needs to be the most expensive. After all, the body is only a shell that God will raise again.
DEATH IS A TIME OF SEPARATION - Vss. 8, 17-20
A dead person is placed out of sight. - Vs. 8
The dead person is gone.
The dead person is separated from the land of the living and his loved ones and friends.
For the Christian however, this separation is temporary. 2 Corinthians 5:8-9, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
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Psalm 135:15-19 – QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR GOD
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:2-3
We all have a god or gods that we worship. Of course it is important that we worship the true and living God.
DID YOU MAKE HIM? Vs. 15
Did you create you own god or do you serve the God who is creator? Genesis 1
Many people today have gods that they worship that are not made of silver and gold, but they are gods nonetheless. Any thing that is more important to me than the true and living God is a god or an idol.
DOES HE SPEAK? Vs. 16a
There is only one god who truly speaks and that is the true and living God. 2 Peter 1:20-21, Jeremiah 33:3
DOES HE SEE? Vs. 16b
The true and living God sees everything. Psalm 139:7-12
DOES HE HEAR? Vs. 17a
The true and living God hears everything. Psalm 139:4
IS HE ALIVE? Vs. 17b
Our God is very much alive. Exodus 12:14
ARE YOU ALIVE? Vs. 18
If your God is not alive, then you are not alive spiritually!
Ephesians 2:1, 8-9
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AMOS – LEARNING GOD’S AUTHORITY
A COMPLETE LESSON
What positive lessons have you learned from the people in this Church?
What positive lessons have you learned from your parents?
What positive lessons have you learned from Bible Characters?
Why are lessons about Bible Characters so important? Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This man, the prophet Amos bursts on the scene with some very forceful words. His emphasis is on God's Authority. According to Fred M. Barlow, Amos uses the phrase "Thus saith the Lord" fourteen times and phrases like "saith the Lord", or “ saith the Lord God” another 28 times. So, over 40 times in 9 chapters Amos points to the Lord as the authority for his message. The lesson we learn from this man is very valuable. It is the Prophet Amos who teaches the importance of God's Authority in our lives.
BACKGROUND: Just what do we know about the Prophet Amos?
He lived when Israel was divided into two smaller countries, Israel (Samaria) and Judah.
Amos was a “southerner”, living in Tekoah, about 10 miles south of Judah in the southern kingdom of Judah.
Amos was “among the herdsmen”, which probably means “sheep breeder”.
According to Amos 7:14 we know that Amos was also a farmer. He grew sycamore figs, which bore fruit 3 or 4 times a year.
Amos didn't do his preaching in his own country of Judah, but he preached in the North, specifically in Bethel, which was one of the two centers for Israel's false worship. Bethel was where the King of Israel worshiped.
Amos came roaring into town and started proclaiming in Amos 1:2 - …The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
At first when Amos started to preach he condemned many of Israel's neighbors in chapters 1-2. This would have made his audience very happy.
But in Amos 2:5-16 the prophet "lowers the boom", so to speak, on Israel.
And from this little book we learn something about the authority of God. We begin with:
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK
Amos 3:3 - Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
It is not God’s responsibility to agree with me, but my responsibility to agree with God. Why?
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK ABOUT SALVATION
Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, John 14:6, Romans 5:1
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK ABOUT BAPTISM
Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47-48
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I THINK ABOUT BEHAVIOR
Matthew 22:35-40, 1 Peter 1:15-16
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER HOW I THINK - MY THOUGHT PATTERNS
Psalm 19:14, Psalms 119:11, Philippians 4:8
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHERE I GO
We already told you that Amos was a Southerner, from Judah. He was sent north to Samaria. How could he have argued with God about where he would serve?
Why do we sometimes argue with God about where we are sent?
What is tragic about failing to go where God sends us to share the Gospel?
When Jesus sent out the disciples, where did he send them first? Acts 1:8
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I DO
Amos 7:10-13 - The high priest complained about Amos to the king. He also told him to go back home and make his living as a prophet there. They didn't want to hear it!
Amos 7:14-15 - Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER WHAT I SAY
All through this little book Amos quotes God. God had the authority over Amos' words.
How do we know when God has authority over our words?
What are some of the different kinds of words and people that God might have us speak to?
Hebrews 3:12-13, Mark 16:15, 1 Peter 3:15, Galatians 6:1
How can we be ready to share the Word of God with others? Psalm 19:14
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Matthew 11:16-27 – EVALUATION
In this passage Jesus gives an evaluation of the Spiritual conditions of His day. Things haven’t changed.
UNRESPONSIVE GENERATION – Vss. 16-19
Although they had the same message, Jesus and John had two different styles. The people were unresponsive to both.
UNREPENTANT CITIES – Vss. 21 & 23
UNAVOIDABLE JUDGMENT – Vss. 22 & 24
UNBELIEVABLE REVELATION – Vss. 25-27
It is not the “wise and prudent” that respond to the Gospel, but “babes” whose eyes the Lord opens. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
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Mark 9– AUTHORITY IN ACTION
MARK FOR MEN – A COMPLETE SET OF STUDY NOTES
LESSON #11
THINK ABOUT IT!
What human authority figure do you fear most?
What human authority figure do you respect most?
Why do we need people with authority?
What justifies the Lord Jesus as the ultimate authority?
In Mark 9 the Lord Jesus' authority is in full display for all to see.
I. AUTHORITY OF GOD'S SON - Vss. 1-13
A. THE PROMISE OF TRANSFIGURATION - Vs. 1
B. THE PATH TO TRANSFIGURATION - Vs. 2
C. THE POWER OF TRANSFIGURATION - Vs. 3
D. THE PARTICIPANTS AT TRANSFIGURATION - Vs. 4
E. THE PROPOSITION AT TRANSFIGURATION - Vss. 5-6
F. THE PRONOUNCEMENT AT TRANSFIGURATION - Vss. 7-8
THE PONDERING AFTER TRANSFIGURATION - Vss. 9-13
Why did Jesus take only three apostles with him? Why did he tell them to remain silent until after the resurrection? Vss. 2,9
What did the transfiguration confirm to the apostles?
Why did Moses and Elijah appear? What was discussed? Luke 9:30-31
Why is verse 7 significant for every believer?
When Jesus said that Elijah had already come, to whom did he refer? Vss. 12-13
II. THE AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS - Vss. 14-29
CONFUSION WITHOUT JESUS - Vs. 14
INQUIRY OF JESUS - Vss. 15-16
EXPLANATION OF BOY'S FATHER - Vss. 17-18
WEARINESS WITH UNBELIEF - Vs. 19
CONFRONTATION WITH OF THE BOY'S FATHER - Vss. 20-24
HEALING OF THE BOY - Vss. 25-27
EXPLANATION TO THE DISCIPLES - Vss. 28-29
How does it feel to be a failure in the eyes of the public? Should that ever bother us? Vss. 14-18
What was the indictment of Jesus against His generation (Vs. 19)? He can say the same about our generation. How does it show?
How should verse 23 transform our lives?
Belief is often expressed through prayer. 1 John 5:14-15
Why do some problems require more prayer than others? Vss.28-29
III. AUTHORITY AND HUMILITY - Vss. 30-37
THE PROMISE OF THE LORD'S IMPENDING DEATH - Vss. 30-32
THE DISPUTE OVER GREATNESS - Vss. 33-34
THE NEED FOR HUMILITY - Vs. 35
THE EXAMPLE OF A CHILD - Vss. 36-37
Why did Jesus continue to speak of His death? Vs. 31
Why do you think they were afraid to ask Him about His death? Vs. 32
The key problem the disciples had was pride. How does pride show among Christians? How can we spot pride in ourselves? Vss. 33-34
Describe a servant's heart. Vs. 35
Why is a child an excellent example of humility?
What does verse 37 mean?
IV. AUTHORITY AND SECTARIANISM - Vss. 38-41
THE REPORT OF JOHN - Vs. 38
THE REBUKE BY JESUS - Vss. 39-41
What is sectarianism? Is there much sectarianism today?
Why does Jesus forbid sectarianism?
How easy is it to be rewarded for service to Christ? Vs. 41
V. AUTHORITY AND OFFENSES - Vss. 42-50
IT IS BETTER TO DROWN THAN TO OFFEND - Vs. 42
IT IS BETTER TO BE MAIMED THAN TO OFFEND - Vss. 43-46
IT IS BETTER TO BE BLIND THAN TO OFFEND - Vss. 47-48
IT IS BETTER TO BE SALTY THAN TO OFFEND - Vss. 49-50
How can we offend Christians who are both young in age and/or maturity? Vs. 42
How can we offend ourselves? Vss. 43-44
Is Jesus speaking literally in Vss. 43-46? What does He mean?
How can our eyes offend us? Vss. 47-48
How can we control what we look at?
In what sense is every Christian a sacrifice? Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
THANKFUL THROUGH PRECEPT – Vs. 16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
THANKFUL THROUGH PRACTICE (or PERFORMANCE) – Vs. 17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
