HAVE YOU NEVER READ?

Matthew 22: 15-46; Matthew 21: 14 - 16 picture taken from Google

MEMORY VERSE Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page some lesson points taken from: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2005/september-october/how-the-bible-can-help- Introduction:

Have you tried a new-bought machine and tried to assembly it with your own knowledge? It is possible that we have a little knowledge about it, but the full details are needed to be read and executed.

One time our nephew, this was already mentioned by my sister in her lessons, bought a swing from the store to be their gift to their mother as Mothers’ Day gift. At first, we just watched him in a distance but when we saw that he was struggling in assembling, we offered help. He was about to bring the swing to the store and pay for assembling the parts when we approached him. The first thing my sister, Kris, asked was “where’s the manual?” She read the manual and followed the instruction and after few minutes, it was successfully assembled.

We know that the Bible is a manual of life but most of the time we try our own way and knowledge and seldom read the manual which is the best way to do.

The title of our lesson is taken in Matthew 21:15-16 wherein the priests and scribes were displeased when they saw Jesus did wonderful things and heard the children crying and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

The Lord Jesus Christ quoted the verse in Psalms 8:2

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Jesus was pointing out that they didn’t read what mentioned in God’s written word

In our passage today we have read, Matthew 22: 15-46, there are five situations wherein God answered the people’s questions.:

         a)      Matthew 22:15-22 – Jesus was asked about paying taxes. When people heard His words,             they marvelled.

         b)      Matthew 22:23-30 – Jesus was asked about a wife who had 7 husbands; whose wife shall         she be in the resurrection. Jesus answered in this manner in verse 29, “…Ye do err, not              knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

         c)      Matthew 22: 31-33 – Jesus answered with these words, “…have ye not read that which          was spoken unto you by God…? He has explained the God of the living and not the dead and the people were astonished to his doctrine.   

          d)      Matthew 22: 34-40 – Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment

         e)      Matthew 22: 41-46 – This time Jesus was the one asking them., “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?

       If you notice to the following situations, there are commonality; those are coming from God’s Word, the scriptures, and the Lord Jesus Christ always says, “HAVE YE NOT READ?” If today at our present time, we have struggles and problems and we feel confuse, our Lord might say, “HAYE YOU NEVER READ?”

Lesson Points:

     1.   HAVE YOU NEVER READ THE WAY TO LIFE BEYOND DEATH? (LUKE        10:25 -28)

The Bible reveals the way to eternal life and salvation. After you die, will you live again? How do you know? Look at what the Apostle Paul wrote to the young evangelist Timothy: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14–15)

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  Another verses from Luke 10:25-28, we see that a lawyer asked the Lord on how to inherit eternal life

²⁵ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

²⁶ He said unto him, What is written in the law? HOW READEST THOU?

²⁷ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy

soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

²⁸ And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

In 2 Timothy we can see that Timothy has leaned the scriptures since childhood and it’s a good spiritual idea that the parents as well as the Sunday school teachers need to teach the kids the right way to God’s salvation. And in our next verses, again, we notice that Jesus replied the lawyer with a question, “What is written in the law? How readest thou?”  All things are answered in God’s word but sometimes we are sidetrack, we listen to false views in social media. Another thing, when we are asked about our salvation, we keep silent and what does this imply? We don’t listen to the sermons and we think that our bible is not readable.

         2.     HAVE YOU NEVER READ YOUR LIFE’S REAL MEANING AND             PURPOSE? (JEREMIAH 29:11-14)

Christians know that the world we live in today is temporary and our final destination is in heaven because we have faith and accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour but why there are Christians don’t still give time for spiritual matters. What is the purpose of this life? Have we never read in the Bible our purpose?

God had a purpose for Jeremiah. God selected him. He knew him before he was formed. It is one thing to brag about who you know. It is quite another thing to boast about who knows you.

There may be many people you know who don’t claim to know you. God knows you and claims to know you.

Not only did God know Jeremiah, He chose him. Nothing makes a person feel better than to be chosen by someone. Knowing everything about you even before you were conceived, your strengths and flaws, your obedience and disobedience, God chose you. Wow!

Not only did God select Jeremiah, He shaped him in his mother’s womb. In the words of the Psalmist, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). When God made Adam and Eve, He did so with His hands. Handmade items always have a greater value. God wove you while in your mother’s womb. You are a one-of-a-kind creation of God.

God also sanctified the prophet. He was set apart for a special purpose. God has special plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11-14). God has chosen you to do things and say things that will impact all time and eternity.

He sanctioned Jeremiah to carry out that plan.  Jeremiah realized the facts. Notice the absolute words God used. God declared to him that he would go to everyone God sent him to, speak whatever God told him to speak, and not to fear anyone.

Why? God told him he was not alone. God promised to be with him and to deliver him.

     3.      HAVE YOU NEVER READ THE WAY TO HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS?

    4.      HAVE YOU NEVER READ ON HOW TO FIND TRUE SUCCESS, FULFILLMENT AND         HAPPINESS?

     5.      HAVE YOU NEVER READ THE FUTURE?