REMEMBER WHO YOU WERE (HEBREWS 2:13-15)

 

REMEMBER WHO YOU WERE

Bible Passage: Hebrews 2: 13-15

Lesson Prepared by: krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page

Lesson ideas taken:

LESSON KEY VERSE:

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

EPHESIANS 2:11-12

INTRODUCATION:

If we were asked what our life was before without Christ, you would give so many spiritual ideas and reflections. And if you’re serious, dedicated and give your best to live like Christ and serve Him faithfully, your words of wisdom have impact to somebody’s life because God reflects on you.

 

I have given paper strips for you to answer, and I will try to read them all – what is the character or attitude God has changed in you? (Read the paper strips and comments from FB live)

 

Read Ephesians 2:11-12. Remember, Paul tells the Ephesians that you were once separated, alienated,

 

estranged, hopeless. Because then, and only then, will it mean something that in Christ you are reconciled, welcomed, adopted and saved.

 

So too with us. If we are going to love much, we need to remember the depths from which he saved us. If we are going to treasure all we have in him, we need to remember who we were without Him. Also, in order to remember God’s goodness, we need to remember who we were without Him.

 

God’s goodness connects with Christ birth. Why we need to remember God’s goodness through Christ’s birth? Why Christ’s birth happened?

 

LESSON POINT:

1. 1.    BECAUSE WE ARE HUMAN (HEBREWS 2:14)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise                           took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that               is, the   devil;

Since then that the children –we are partakers of flesh and blood which means human, Christ                 Himself, likewise took part of the same. We are human therefore He became human. According     to the prior verses, Jesus' role as the "Captain" of our salvation includes taking on the suffering we experience as human beings. The writer of Hebrews has already explained that the Messiah could    not be an angel, according to passages in the Old Testament. In addition, angels cannot truly experience human suffering, so they cannot be an example for people to follow. As a man, however, Jesus Christ is able to do exactly that.

 

Why it needed for Christ to become human?

In the early chapters of the Book of Genesis we are told that God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. There before them were many trees. Two of these trees were the "tree of life" and the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." They were forbidden to eat of only the one tree--the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." God told them that in the day they ate of the fruit of this tree they would surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). The devil tempted Eve and she and her husband ate of the forbidden fruit. From that time on they sensed a nakedness, and we're not at ease in the presence of God, so that they hid from Him. The fall of man from sin led God the Father, to give the promise from Genesis 3:15.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall                          bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

On the first line of 14th verse, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and                    blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same”, what implies to you? The Lord Jesus                           Christ was incarnated because of us. His humanity allowed Him to experience the same things                            normal people do. With this, as being human, He thinks and feels like us and the           most comfort   is...

He understands us.

 

1. 2.    BECAUSE HE COULD DIE (HEBREWS 2:14; MATT. 20:28)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise            took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that  is, the   devil;

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

He couldn’t die so He could die is why He came. In order that through death you can’t die if you’re not human. The purpose of incarnation is to die – BORN TO DIE.  Jesus Himself said that He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Who are the lost? The Bible tells us that “all have sinned” and that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans                         3:23; 6:23). In order to save the world, Jesus had to die for it. He came and lived the perfect life                           and then died the death we should have died. The true meaning of Christmas is that Jesus was                 born to die. Because He was crucified and then rose from the dead, forgiveness of sin and                        assurance of heaven is now offered to all who believe (John 1:12).

 

Christ’s birth is also about death. Every time we remember Jesus’ birth, we should also remember                WHY he was born. Jesus was born so that one day, he could die for us. Without his death, his birth doesn’t carry the same significance.

The Christmas story reminds us of the need for Jesus to come and redeem humanity. In Matthew               2, there is a recount of a horrific act that leads to the death of many. King Herod hears from the            Magi that a new king has been born. So, he asks them to let him know when they’ve found the king. Herod is disturbed - he doesn’t want a new king to take his power!

Matthew 2:16 reads, “When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” It’s a horrific mass murder that results in great mourning throughout the land. We often leave this part out of the Christmas story, because it’s so awful. But it is an important reminder about exactly why Jesus came. We live in such a broken world, where people like you, me and Herod fight against God and his glory in different, but always awful ways. We might have never killed a whole bunch of toddlers, but our sin, too, is bringing death and destruction to our lives and the world God has made.

Christmas is about birth. But more importantly, it’s about death - the death we would face without      Jesus, and Jesus’ death that saves us.

1. 3.    BECAUSE TO DESTROY THE DEVIL (HEBREWS 2:14)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise  took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

 

Satan is referred to here as wielding the power of death, which follows from his role in the fall. It           was Satan who tempted man to sin (Genesis 3:1–7), and Satan who continues to tempt men today      (Ephesians 4:27; 1 John 3:8; 1 Peter 5:8). Following that temptation leads to both physical and                              spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Sin, rather than making us free, makes us its slaves.

 

By dying, He destroyed the one who has the power over death, the devil. The word “destroy” doesn’t mean that He put the devil out of existence. It means He nullified him; He broke the back of his power and took away the capacity to cause the slavery to fear. How did He do that? Colossians 2:13-15 have the answer.

 

 

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ¹⁴ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to      his cross; ¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

(Explain while reading) How the Lord Jesus Christ spoiled (disarmed) the principalities and powers? He did it by nailing something to the cross. What did he nail to the cross? He nailed to        the cross the – handwriting of ordinances (record of my debt) that was against us. Which means     that He took away the one weapon that could damn (to condemn to hell) me. Satan is the greater accuser, right? So, he stands before God with the big folder and the folder has in it my sins, all of         them and He accuses me before God day and night but when I trust Christ and reunite to Him and his death counts for me and the record of that debt with all those things against me is taken out of the devil’s hands. Through death, He destroyed, nullified, cancelled, made powerless the one who has the power of death. How he has the power of death? He has the power of death by turning death into a doorway to hell instead of doorway to heaven by damning me with all the records of my debts and by His death took that out.  He destroyed him by taking out                of his hands the weapon and so now he is helpless to damn me or destroy me and thus he delivers me from the fear of death and that awful slavery and so this is our next point.

 

1. 4.    BECAUSE TO DELIVER US FROM THE SLAVERY TO THE LIFELONG FEAR OF DEATH

 

The fear of death that has kept me all my life worrying and if we are freed from this horrible slavery of death, we are to free us, people and that is owing to the fact that the devil is destroyed by having his accusations removed and that happens because Christ died. Also, that happens        because Christ partook of the nature.

 

CONCLUSION:

Have you seen the point of our lesson for today? Christmas is about salvation. Therefore, if we have issues regarding the celebration like financial crisis, loneliness because loved ones are apart from us, heartbroken, career and so many more let’s remind ourselves “REMEMBER WHO YOU WERE WITHOUT CHRIST” and having Him is a great blessing and gift. 

SIMPLY THANKFUL (LUKE 4:16-30; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:15)

 

SIMPLY THANKFUL

BIBLE PASSAGE: LUKE 4:16-30; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:15

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

DECEMBER 05, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:15

 

INTRODUCTION:

BE THANKFUL FOR LIFE

Even though I clutch my blankets and groan when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are those who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the physical effort of rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedfast.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our table never looks like the pictures in the magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no work.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life.

Source: Unknown

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  BE AWARE OF THE DANGER OF FAMILIARITY (LUKE 4:16-30; MARK 6:1-4)

Luke 4:24, “And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.”

Mark 6:4, “But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”

 

There is a saying, “Familiarity Breeds Contempt” and what does this mean?

-      It means that if you know someone or something very well, you can easily become bored with them and stop treating them with respect.

-      The idioms mean knowing too much about something or someone can eventually lead you to feel resentment towards that specific thing or person.

We know our occasion this month, commemorating Christ’s Birth, right? Sometimes because of the knowledge you have in your mind and all the lessons you’ve heard there’s a tendency that the impact of commemorating become less to you; there’s no big impact to you anymore.

There’s a testimony of a pastor and this is what he says, “There is something about familiarity breeding contempt.  It is funny, but I used to minister in a certain church with a wide variety of roles.  Today I’ve been gone from there for twenty years, yet it seems the longer I’m gone, the more I’m esteemed.  People say positive things about the Lord’s work through me there, and honestly, I have no idea what they are talking about.  It is almost like the longer I am away, the more impact I had.  I don’t remember enjoying any of that honor or esteem when I was actually there on staff–in fact, quite the opposite.”

This might be one of the reasons why some of us become thankful to others but to our family is not. We seldom say thank you and reply to our family’s messages; the sadder thing some ignore and even try to “seen” their messages. Which is a good reminder to all of us–sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have till it’s gone. We should be appreciative to our family, and church leaders & members who serve faithfully.  A disciple, an RMG leader, a teacher, a parent, a church family–because we know people and are familiar with them, it’s easy for us to take them for granted.  But it is more than appreciation of what God has given you.  Also, all of us battle with this drift in our relationship with Christ.

Our passionate first love drifts to second or third love

Our zeal for His service begins to cruise into–only when it’s convenient

Our hunger for His Word slows to a “once-a-week” meal

Our intimate relationship transitions to only prayers around food

Our giving first to His church drops to only what I have left over

Have you allowed your familiarity with Christ and His Word to become complacent, indifferent or worse–contemptible?  Fire up today.  For as Jesus begins to minister in Nazareth, we witness an awesome reaction transition quickly to unbelief.

Luke 4:24, “And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.”

Mark 6:4, “But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”

Tagalog: “…Tandaan nyo walang propetang kinikilala sa kanyang sariling bayan.”

“…Ang propeta’y iginagalang ng lahat, liban lamang ng kanyang mga kababayan, mga kamag-anak at mga kasambahay.”

“A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country.” This is Christ’s indictment against the people of his own place who, instead of being amazed and thankful for having among them not only a very special person but the very son of God, found Christ too much for them, and were in fact scandalized by him.

This is what familiarity is all about and what it produces. As proverb would put it, familiarity breeds contempt. It is the state of getting too accustomed to God and to his goodness such that we would not feel the urge anymore to thank and praise him for everything that we have and enjoy, since all these things come from him.

It is a very common danger to us and is at bottom a result of letting simply our senses, feelings and our other ways of purely human estimation to guide us rather than our faith, and its necessary companions of hope and charity.

2.  GIVING OF THANKS IS THE WILL OF GOD (1 THESS.5:18; 1 TIMOTHY 4:4)

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Tagalog (1 Timothy 4:4): Ang lahat ng nilikha ng Diyos ay mabuti, at walang dapat ipalagay na masama. Lahat at dapat tanggaping may pasasalamat.

From the verse itself in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we can say that giving of thanks is the will of God. After each one of these exhortations in verses 16 and 18 – rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks – we are told to do this because it is the will of God. The thought isn’t “this is God’s will, so you must do it.” The thought is rather “this is God’s will, so you can do it.” It isn’t easy to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, but we can do it because it is God’s will.

Another thing is we should give thanks in everything. As difficulties pile on, it can be easy to look around and see nothing good, sinking into despair, perpetual anger, and an inability to feel gratitude. The Bible does not pretend there is no suffering, with the Book of Ecclesiastes acknowledged there will be, “a time to kill … a time to break down … a time to weep … a time to mourn” (Ecclesiastes 3:3-4).

In order to be thankful at all times it is important to have sources of joy, something to always be grateful for, and reminders to turn to those sources of joy and good things when times are hard.

What should be the Christian’s ultimate source of joy? To get through loss, suffering, and chaotic times, it would need to be something permanent and unchanging. Jesus prayed to His Father, “And now come I to Thee;, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13). He wants those who love Him to have His joy, and to be thankful for those things which bring joy.

Jesus had joy when:

- A sinner repented and became saved: Luke 15

- When the Father’s will is done: Luke 10:20-24

- When thinking about eternity together John 16:20-22

The Bible also encourages believers to be thankful for:

- Jesus’ everlasting words: John 17:3

- God’s unchanging nature: Psalm 102:27

- Salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:57

- The eternal home in Heaven: Hebrews 12:28    

Ultimately, the Bible encourages believers to focus on eternal things. It is important to thank God for earthly blessings, but in order to always be thankful, there must be things to thank God for that do not rust, decay, or disappear. The way to always give thanks is to remember to thank God for His eternal gifts and promises. 

When the Bible says to give thanks in all things, it asks people to thank God for blessings both visible and invisible. When He blesses, thank Him, and thank Him for the things unseen in which Christians place their hope

Of course, the verse does not mean that every second of everyday Christians should be muttering “thank you God” under their breath. Instead, it encourages an attitude adjustment and a re-focusing of priorities. Thanking God for blessings through praise and prayer is the first step, and the second is by turning away from earthly wants and desires, and focusing on the future promises that will matter forever, that are guaranteed by the Word of God, so there is always something to thank Him for, even if current circumstances are difficult (mention 1 Timothy 4:4).

3.  CHRISTIANS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MORE THANKFUL (2 CORINTHIANS 4:15)

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” 

Tagalog: “Ang lahat ng pagtitiis ko ay sa kapakanan ninyo upang sa pagdami ng mga  nakatatanggap ng mga kaloob ng Diyos, lalo lamang dumami ang magpapasalamat at magpupuri sa kanya.” 

 

Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth again of one of his primary motivations for continuing to endure so much suffering. He tolerates great hardship in order to shine the light of Christ to more and more people. In short, he does it for their sake and, presumably, for the sake of others like them.

Some in Corinth may have questioned why Paul suffered so much if he was truly an apostle of Jesus and a servant of God. Shouldn't God prevent his trusted servant from experiencing so much pain? Paul's reply has been that God does not spare his servants from suffering, but that God provides for them through their suffering. More, God will raise them from the dead if their suffering should lead to that. Despite what many people think, faithfulness to God does not protect a person from all earthly difficulty.

Now Paul declares that this service to the Corinthians is worth it, in part, because as more people believe in Jesus, more people will receive God's grace. The more people who receive God's grace, the more people who will give thanks to God. More and more glory will be brought to God. Paul is willing to endure anything, enabled by God's power, to achieve this outcome.

 

CONCLUSION:

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet.  He held up a sign which said: “I am blind, please help.”

There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat.  He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.  That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.

The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning?  What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth.  I said what you said but in a different way.” I wrote: “Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it.”

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling. And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!

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Author: Unknown