YOU ARE GREATLY LOVED (EPHESIANS 2:3-5,8; DANIEL CHAPTERS 1 & 2

 

YOU ARE GREATLY LOVED

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 2:3-5, 8 ; Daniel chapters 1 & 2

Picture taken from Google

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

FEBRUARY 21, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

EPHESIANS 2:4

 

INTRODUCTION:

When was the first time you had received or heard from someone “I love you”?

I’ll give you all few minutes to think about it; let’ go back to that later.

When I was a child, I thought I was not loved. (Give some situations why thinking this thing.)

To make it short, so when I first heard the gospel, the words “Someone loves you” struck me.

 

About the question, possibly, we first heard from our parents the words, “I love you”. In Daniel 9:23, Daniel heard the words “You are greatly loved” this is where our title came from. Let’s just give a brief explanation of the words, “You are greatly loved”. This is a passive voice which means the subject is not doer but receiver. Why I said this, the sentence “You are greatly loved” means you’re not the doer but rather the receiver – You are greatly loved and who’s the doer? It is GOD – “You are greatly loved by GOD”.  Amen! So when the angel said to Daniel, “You are greatly loved” means God greatly loves Daniel. 

 

When Daniel heard them from the words of an angel, it was not once but three times. Wouldn’t you love to hear from an angel saying, “You are greatly loved”? Before we read, let me explain that the word “beloved” which its Hebrew is “chumdah” is found 25 times in the Bible and it is translated “pleasant”, “desired,” “goodly,” and “precious”. The word seems to suggest what God’s love does rather that what it is. Daniel was “desired” by the Lord because the love of God made him “precious, pleasant, or goodly” in His sight.

It doesn’t matter whether we are cute, handsome, or ugly, God loves you. I remember the Psalm 139:14; this was always in my mind. I really memorized it because it helped me a lot every time I had problem in regard to my self-esteem. Other meaning of beloved is loved that’s why in other translations “beloved” translated to “Loved”.

·       Daniel 9:23 –  At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

·       Daniel 10:11 –  And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

·       Daniel 10:19 – And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

From whom do we want to hear the word, “I love You”? In Young People maybe you want to hear it from your long-time crush. In couples, you want it to hear from your spouse. Is it more pleasant to hear “You are greatly loved” from God or from an angel? Of course, from God! In fact, we heard it too, God himself says to us in His word – which is surer than an angel speaking – “You are greatly loved.”

 

There it stands in Ephesians 2:3–5, 8: We “were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. . . . For by grace, you have been saved through faith.”

 This is the only place where Paul uses this wonderful phrase “great love.” And it is better than an angel’s voice. If you have seen Jesus as true and received him as your supreme treasure, that is, if you are “alive,” you are greatly loved. Greatly loved by the Creator of the universe. Just think of it! Greatly loved! It’s good to memorize this verse from Ephesians 2:4, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”

 

And now let’s study some of situations in the life of Daniel and what are the situations showing that He was greatly loved.

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  FROM HIS YOUTH, GOD’S GUIDANCE HAD BEEN THERE.

He was an Israelite, about 18 years of age when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah about the year 606 BC; he was captured and then deported to the fabulous city of Babylon, the most magnificent city in the world. He was of royal descent (relation) (verse 3), handsome, a man of culture and outstandingly intelligent (verse 4). Because of these qualities King Nebuchadnezzar chose him and gave orders that he should be trained in all the language and literature of the Chaldeans (verse 4); he was a Jew among Gentiles, living in an alien land, a believer among unbelievers –- and God had a great work to do through him over a period of 70-80 years. It was a terrible experience for him to be deported a thousand miles to Babylon.

 

The great love of God to Daniel appeared in his early and thorough nonconformity to the world. Everything was done that could be done to make the young Hebrew forget God of his fathers. Everywhere around them they saw idolatry, lust, and crime. There was nothing when they went abroad or when they stayed at home but what would suggest to them the abominations of the heathen.

 

Let’s try to put ourselves on Daniel’s shoes. You were kidnapped by an enemy then you are in the process of trainings. Part of the training is the food, and your belief contradicts to the food offered, possibly it was against Leviticus law or offered unto idols. Therefore, this was against his convictions.  It’s hard to live in a foreign land and stand up for your faith. Also, the emotions of being away from your home and away from your spiritual refuge is another struggle. Before the early YP of CBT had the thoughts like this, if Christians decided to work in Manila, the tendency is they adapted the worldly things. When they came back, there were changes in their lifestyles. Now, anywhere you go you can adapt many things (either good or bad) because SOCMED is there.

 

Sometimes if we have struggles and problems, questions begin to appear in our minds like why is this happening to me? Or why me? He had struggles and trials but at the same time, the trainings were in his favor. Don’t you think these favors were from their own? Let’s read Daniel 1: 9 and 20.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

 

So, you see though there are struggles but God’s guidance is there. Have you remembered your struggles from your youth?  Or the YP at this present time has struggles? Remember God is always there, and you are greatly loved.

I remember Joseph, one of my favorite Bible characters. Let’s read Genesis 50:20.

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.

We think it’s bad but actually it’s for our own good. Everything has a purpose. Another verse from Philippians 1:12

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Paul had many sufferings, but he said things happened for the furtherance of the Gospel.

Therefore, if we have struggles right now, let’s remember there’s a purpose and also a lesson we need to learn; we should have realization. Let’s pray for spiritual discernment.

2.  THE WISDOM OF INTERPRETING DREAMS

 

·       KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Remember no one could interpret the dream and even the astrologers said that no one on earth could tell the dream- only GOD (Dan.2:11). The king got furious and commanded them to be slain. To save their lives, Daniel asked God for wisdom and answered prayers followed. Everything he did, started through prayers.

After having the wisdom, the best thing is, he acknowledged and gave credit to God. Let’s read Daniel 2:27-28

²⁷ Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; ²⁸ But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

 

Another dream of Nebuchadnezzar is about a very high tree and again no one could interpret the dream (Daniel 4) except Daniel. The second dream was particularly about the king himself. Because of pride, he fell and became like a beast in the field and ate grass. Daniel’s interpretation happened to the king but the later end, the king repented and already acknowledged God.

 

·       KING BELSHAZZAR (Daniel 5:1-30):

In the time of reign of King Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, we have the story of the handwriting on the wall. Once again, the wise men of the land were unable to interpret what it meant. 

Why had the king seen vessels this handwriting?

The king used some of the utensils taken from the temple as common drinking while praising their idols. Daniel reminded the king about what happened to his father, Nebuchadnezzar, that in his life, he had everything, and pride rooted in his heart but at the end, he recognized God in his life. And yet, he didn’t learn lessons from his father’s mistakes.

Let’s see Daniel’s heart regarding rewards from King Belshazzar. When the king mentioned that he would be rewarded, his reply mentioned in verse 17.

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Daniel had no interest in doing the work of God for physical reward. Instead, he tells the king to give it to someone else.

Daniel warned the king that he would be killed because of the abominations and the interpretation had happened.

If we try to think back what was your life then, aren’t you thankful that you’re here today? Sometimes I have these thoughts “Oh this is the reason why this happened”. Do you have those kinds of thoughts too? I have a story to tell that this has really happened in true life. There was a couple entered in a certain church, and they got saved. This couple had no child for years and the pastor was started praying for their desire that they could have a child. After many months and years of kneeling God granted their request. They were so happy. The delivery came and sad to say, the mother died. At first, they got mad to the doctor, who is their church mate, but later on they accepted what happened. The husband said, “This is the reason why God hasn’t answered our prayers for years but because of our earnest prayers he answered our petition. If I could go back the time, I would rather have her.” We don’t know the reason of everything that’s why should lean on God. He is the source of wisdom. Whatever we have achieved and whatever courses we have finished still we don’t know everything. God knows everything.     

3.  IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS (DANIEL 6)

King Darius made a decree that everyone should bow down to the royal statue within 30 days. This is in favor of the enemies of Daniel who envied him. In his response, he prayed to the Lord three times a day (6:10). Daniel’s response is a good reminder that in the midst of trials the first thing we should do is PRAY. We all know how dangerous to be in the den of lions. They’re not tamed animals; they’re wild. God had a purpose why He kept Daniel alive. Answering his prayers makes God magnify.

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? (Dan.6:20)

If you’re still alive today, praise GOD! God has still purpose for you to fulfill.  Think of many times you supposed to be dead but through God’s grace you survive.

Today, do you have financial crisis? Maybe God wants you to learn something and be faithful to your financial obligations and be a wise spender, be dependent on Him or be prayerful. Do you have relationship problem? Possibly He wants you to consider something and check your heart. Do you have family problem? Maybe God wants us to check our spiritual life. Do you have work problem? Try to consider your priorities. Whatever situations we are in; always remember you are greatly loved!

CONLUSION:

There was a story about a lady. She owned and operated her own nursery. And she said that one day a 4-year-old girl was brought in for her to watch during the day, to take care of during the day, and this girl was different from other girls. She was born in a prison. Her mother was incarcerated for drugs and had taken drugs all throughout her pregnancy, and so this little baby was born, and she was a ''crack'' baby. And she had many, many problems and she had many fears. And she never spoke to any of the people at the nursery. And she would have fits of rage.

Well, they brought her in. And the proprietor of the nursery instantly took a liking to this girl, even though she was so unlovely and unlovable. And when the girl would have these tremendous fits, the, the owner would take her and take her up in her arms and take her into her office where there was a rocking chair. And she would rock her, and she would sooth her, and she would sing, ''Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.'' And she did that day after day and week after week and month after month and she started to notice some progress in girl. But every time they would take a step forward, they would take, seemingly, two or three steps backward.

Well, one day the girl was having an extremely bad day - fears and fits - and owner picked her up and took her into her office, and she began to rock her. And as she rocked her and soothed her, the little girl pulled away from the owner and with tears in her eyes, she spoke her first words. And she said to that owner, ''Sing to me about the man who loves me.'' The love of Jesus makes all the difference in the world.

The fact of the matter is that unless and until we feel
ourselves loved; we cannot love. That’s not only a principle of theology but
of psychology and sociology as well. Just as abused children grow up to
abuse their children, loved children grow up to love their children. Loved
persons are able to love. Unloved persons are not. Christianity says
something startling. It says that God loves and accepts us “just as we are.”
Therefore, we can love and accept ourselves and in so doing, love and accept
others.

The best key for depression and losing of hope is the LOVE OF GOD!

 

THE DEPTH OF GOD'S LOVE (1 JOHN 4:7-21)

 

THE DEPTH OF GOD’S LOVE

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 JOHN 4:7-21

Picture taken from Google

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

FEBRUARY 06, 2022

MEMORY VERSE

 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him..

1 JOHN 4:16

 

INTRODUCTION:

When we talk about the word “love” we don’t see it in line or connection with God. First, it comes to their minds the love towards their loved ones, girlfriends or boyfriends. Some people give their meanings based on their experiences in life. Most of the times this is said casually especially in other countries. Christians also say, “God loves you” and at some point, we are misunderstood because people don’t see evidence in their lives that they are loved.

 

Today we will study one of the attributes of God; we will look the nature, sovereignty, glory, and His holiness. But in two verses, verse 8 and 6 we’ll find this sentence, “GOD IS LOVE.” In other words, any discussion about love has to start with God because that who He is. It’s God’s identity; therefore, it didn’t start with you and didn’t start with me because love has been there before we were created. God is eternal then love is eternal. Let’s read John 5:17-20.

¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. ¹⁸ Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. ¹⁹ Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. ²⁰ For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. ²¹ For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. ²² For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: ²³ That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

We can see so many verses telling the Father loves the Son. In John 3:35 says, “The Father loveth the Son”, in John 10:17 “My Father love Me, in John 15:9 “As the Father Hath love Me” and John 17:23-24 “As thou hast love me… for thou lovest me.” So you see how the Father loves the Son.  The Father loves the Son so much that the connection is so tight that they live in love. It’s all love because that all the environments. The way they love each other makes them glorified The Father loves the Son Then God the Holy Spirit jumped into the plan and said He came to glorify the Son. We can see the Trinitarian Love Fest. They live in love. God does everything to glorify the Son and so is the Son to the Father.

God came to the idea to create the human race. In Ephesians 1:4-6, we can see that created humanity for the love of the Father to the Son for the human race to sing praises to the Son. In John 17: 24 says, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”  In tagalog, “Ama, yaong mga ibinigay mo sa akin ay ibig kong kung saan ako naroroon, sila naman ay dumoong kasama ko, upang makita nila ang kaluwalhatian ko, na ibinigay mo sa akin: sapagka't ako'y iyong inibig bago natatag ang sanglibutan.” 

The same way God the Son wants the humanity to give back praises to the Father, the Son leads the humanity to give praises to the Father and tell them to pray to the Father “Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name…” Then the Holy Spirit is there to guide them in prayer. Humanity was created to celebrate God’s love to the Son. John 1: 1 says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Before the foundation of the world, He decided to create us. Jesus has been there since then.

Then, Satan comes in and gets man to sin against God. Somebody has entered to remove us from our created purpose to bring glory to God through our relationship with the Son and interfere with the love affair and man rebel against God. Now people are away from the Son and the Father. Sin needs to deal with- 1 John 4:9-10 say, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Propitiation means satisfaction, pangpalubag in Tagalog, He sent Jesus Christ to satisfy the problem that would benefit Him.  Father created humanity for the Son then people got messed up. The Father wants to bring the humanity back to the Son so that they glorify Him. Then the Son would glorify Him too. “Only Begotten Son” means one of a kind and unique because nobody who fits the description of deity. God sent the Son to pay the price for all the people.

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  HE LOVES YOU WHEN YOU WERE TOTALLY WRONG (ROMANS 5:8)

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God loves the Son so much that He would willing to sacrifice His Son to die for all the people just to fix the relationship and bring back the people so that the Son would be glorified.

John 13:31 says, “Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” Therefore, when the Son is glorified, God is glorified in Him and then the Son glorified the Father. When the problem (fall of man) is fixed, more glory will the Son receive and the Father will be glorified too. John 17:1 says, “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”

Sometimes we see the concept of God’s love in one angle and we don’t see the totality of God’s love. Before the fall of man, we can see the love of the Father, the love of the Son, the love of the Holy Spirit in the book of Genesis. When we say God’s love, it’s not just merely the casual love we’re thinking – it’s TRINITARIAN LOVE FEST. We fully see it when the fall of man. To restore the relationship, God the Father sent His Son, the only begotten Son to die for us. After three days, He was risen and Then He went back to heaven. His care for us is there, He doesn’t want to leave comfortless, He sent God the Holy Spirit.

2.  YOU CANNOT HAVE INTIMATE EXPERIENCE WITH GOD IF OTHERS CANNOT HAVE INTIMATE EXPERIENCE WITH YOU (1 JOHN 4: 8, 11, 16)

 ⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

 

God says, “I AM LOVE” and that’s God’s nature and we can’t change that. Love is seeking the best for another. The Father is seeking the best for His Son and seeking the best for His Son, He created the human race to seek the best for Him. When the human race seeks the best for Him, the Son, then the Son gives the Father more glory.

 

Illustration: If we hang out at the flower shop, the smell of flowers rubs on you. If we hang out at a perfume store, you start the smelling like cologne.  Your environment affects how you look or smell. If God is love and that’s His nature and you are in the environment where love is the nature, then you smell like the environment you hang out with. Then if we are loveless Christian, then we are not in the environment of God’s nature. If you are not loving

God will determine how much he deals with you by how much you deal with others. Let’s read again verse 8, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love,” in verse 12, “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us,” in verse 16, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him,” and in verse 20, “If a man says, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” So, we cannot have intimate experience with God if others cannot have intimate experience with you.  If we do not know how to love or refuse to love, we won’t feel His love. He restricts the experience of Himself to believers who are functioning in love as a lifestyle. God is love and that’s Who He is and so He hangs out with love. So, since He is love and He only hangs out with love if that’s not how you row, He cannot hang out with us. He won’t hang out that something that’s does not like Him. Who we are and who He is even though we’re God’s child; because He talks to Christians, He says, “We ought to love one another”- Love in the family of God. That’s why the devil can make you selfish, hateful, mean, nasty and unforgiving because you won’t hang out to God. Bible says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” He that dwell (hang out) in love, God dwells in us. The more you love, the more you’re in the environment He’s comfortable with. So, if it’s only “ME, MYSELF AND I,” if it’s “Being blessed but not being a blessing” or it’s only about you. If it’s only about you then you’re not hang out with God because God is love. If we want to hang out with God, we need to hang out with love. One of the reasons why many Christians are not experiencing God is because they are loveless saints. They don’t ask the question, who can I love today or how can I love today in the family of God? We cannot love everybody, but we can love somebody. To love means is a decision. Love is different from like. Like is a feeling therefore don’t say, “I love chocolate” instead “I like chocolate.” Biblical LOVE is a decision regardless of an emotion. In emotion, you may love something you like but you can also love stuff you don’t like. You don’t feel good about it, but you made a decision regarding it. You made a decision to eat vegetable, you may not like it, but you love healthy food and nutrition. Because you love that, you choose and decide to eat what you don’t like. So, love is the decision to compassionately, righteously and responsibly seek the well-being of another. God does that with His Son. To love God means to passionately seek His glory. The more glory of God you seek, the more you are loving God and the more compassion to others you give to the more you are loving people. When God sees the compassion, he translates that to passion so that His passion can refer to your compassion so that His love can enter your love so that we can get more of Him.

 

In 1 John 3:18, 22 and 23 say, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

Based on these verses, the way to get you’re a prayer answered is to start loving.

In verses 34 and 35 of John chapter 3 say, “³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”  How can other people know that you are Christ’s disciples or truly Christians? It’s not how you sing, it’s not how you talk, but it’s because how we love one another.

 

CONCLUSION:

Let’s see the story in Luke 15, the prodigal son. Remember God demonstrated His love to us when we didn’t deserve it- but while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. We know the story, he decided to coming back home and asked for forgiveness. When he was seen by his father – “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Then to make the story short, the father threw a party but the older brother wasn’t happy about it. We can see in verse 28 and forward:

²⁸ And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. ²⁹ And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: ³⁰ But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. ³¹ And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine

But the father said, “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”

The story ends there with that father’s reply but we never know what the older brother does. He needs to decide to hang out with his father or not because his father will go hang out with that’s brother that comes home. What’s the point? Be careful with older Christians, sometimes we ourselves think “we’re better” and don’t hang out with folks who have been forgiven and who’ve been redeemed and don’t hang out with compassion for those lives who have been broken and beaten. Actually we will know better when Jesus died for us. In fact, if it wasn’t for Jesus you would be the same person as you are right now. 

WHEN LOVE HURTS (JEREMIAH 25:3-14)

 

WHEN LOVE HURTS

BIBLE PASSAGE: JEREMIAH 25:3 -14

Picture taken from Google

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

Lesson taken from: https://desirejesus.com/blog/2018/2/27/gods-discipline-is-proof-of-his-love

 

FEBRUARY 27, 2022

MEMORY VERSE

  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

HEBREWS 12:6

 

INTRODUCTION:

Still, our topic this fourth Sunday of February is about love. Based on the sermons from our preachers, pastors and lessons in our Sunday School, I know you’ll agree that love really matters, right? Not just we all want to love and be loved, it’s a command. Imagine this world which is filled with false views about love (mention some). Maybe you heard the news about this beautiful woman, Miss Cheslie Kryst, who won the 2019 Miss USA pageant and worked as a correspondent for the entertainment news television show “Extra,” reportedly committed suicide Jan. 30. Authorities said the beauty queen, jumped to her death from her 29th floor New York apartment. Based on the media source, one of her articles and interviews is linked to that fear of getting old. She mentioned, “Each time I say, ‘I’m turning 30,’ I cringe a little. Sometimes I can successfully mask this uncomfortable response with excitement; other times, my enthusiasm feels hollow, like bad acting. Society has never been kind to those growing old, especially women. (Occasional exceptions are made for some of the rich and a few of the famous.)” Maybe this quite hallow reason for some of us but humanly speaking it’s a big deal especially to a person without Christ in their hearts. Her last post in Instagram is this, “May this day bring you rest and peace.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data for 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the United States among those age 25 to 34, and the 10th-leading cause among adults in the United States. I am in fond watching videos who are searching for people underwater; some of those are accidents, crimes and most are suicide. One of those is a teenager who had relationship problem, and his solution is to take his life and drowned himself with his car. This world makes you feel unloved and without purpose. My question is this, “ARE YOU LOVED?” Let us recite John 3:16 and Romans 5:8. It’s not a question anymore if you are loved therefore don’t waste your time being emotional. There are lot of evidence, and the Bible says so. Focus on our purpose; we have something to do – LET OTHERS KNOW THAT THAT THEY ARE LOVED BY GOD (Share the Gospel).

 

We are now reminded the love of the world versus the love of God. We are now Christians and sometimes there are still some questions in mind why God let us experience sufferings in this journey of life. Because of these sometimes, thoughts come to our mind, “Does God really love me?” These thoughts are easy to be answered by the word of God and we already knew the answers; these thoughts only snap in our minds because of problems and sufferings. Before we go to our first point, another question I need to ask, “DOES THE LOVE OF GOD HURT?” (Pause for a while and let the audience respond)

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  A LOVING GOD DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN WHEN THEY DON’T LISTEN TO HIS COUNSEL (HEBREWS 12:6; PROV.3:11-12)

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

When you hear the word "discipline", what thoughts come to your mind? Do you think about the concept of practicing personal disciplines like eating healthy foods and getting exercise? Do you think about incorporating the spiritual discipline of prayer and the reading of Scripture into your daily routine? Or do you primarily associate the word "discipline" with the word "punishment"?

When you were a child, it's likely that you didn't get too excited about your parents disciplining you. Likewise, if you're a parent, I can just about guarantee that some of the most unpleasant moments of your experience with raising children have involved discipline. But the truth is, when you're seeking to shepherd a young life, the enforcement of discipline is actually evidence of love.

In Jeremiah 25:3-7 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever: And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.

God loves His children too much to allow them to continue to ignore His counsel. In this portion of Scripture, we're told that at this point, Jeremiah had been preaching to the people of Judah for twenty-three years. And interestingly, he wasn't the only prophet the Lord had sent to these people to instruct them. But the people, stubbornly, refused to listen. They went their own way. They embraced idols and worshipped false gods. They devoted the work of their hands to rebellion against the Lord, and their lack of faith produced widespread disobedience.

How does a loving God respond to something like this taking place in the lives of those He has set apart as His own? It's true that the Lord is patient, and it's also true that humanity seems adept at testing His patience in every way possible. But just as the Lord is patient and kind, He is also perfectly just and loving. It grieves His heart to see people who could enjoy the blessings and benefits of walking closely with Him, choosing to go their own way and rejecting His involvement in their lives. Knowing that this situation wasn't going to improve on its own, the Lord intervened with some loving and uncomfortable discipline. 

https://desirejesus.com/blog/2018/2/27/gods-discipline-is-proof-of-his-love

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (Hebrews 12:7)

In Hebrews 11:35-38 we can see how great heroes of the faith suffered terrible hardships, along with their victories (Hebrews 11:33–35). The greatest example of these was Jesus, who was entirely sinless (Hebrews 4:15) and yet endured hatred and violence (Hebrews 12:3). The writer has been careful to point out that hardship is not a sign of God's abandonment. On the contrary, this is evidence that God is working to "train" us to be more like Him. Jesus was able to see His suffering as part of God's plan for future joy (Hebrews 12:2). The Old Testament itself had already pointed out that a truly loving father—like God—uses "discipline" for a child; this is not a sign of hate, but of love. The specific quote from the prior verses comes from Proverbs 3:11–12, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:  For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

Personally, with this lesson, what I see is the attitude upon the discipline of the Lord. Sometimes or most of the times, Christians don’t see that they are in a discipline process. It’s a good reminder that we should be aware of chastening of the Lord by keep on meditating His word. Sometimes Christians instead of becoming humble, they become have more pride in their hearts and don’t submit to the disciplining process. They get angry and make their own way. It’s better to talk to God and open your hearts and ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do to this struggle or problems?”

How skillful are we at listening to God's voice? How long has He been trying to get our attention? How far have we attempted to stretch His patience? Has He shown us patience for so long that instead of listening to Him when He speaks, we've grown complacent with His grace?

When Jesus called us unto Himself, He told us that His desire for us was that we would listen to, and joyfully obey, His teaching.

 

2.  BY NATURE, DISCIPLINE DOESN’T FEEL PLEASANT (HEBREWS 12:11; JER. 25:8-10)

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

 

Through Jeremiah, the people of Judah were being told that life as they knew it was about to change drastically (severe). They were about to experience the direct discipline of the Lord, and it wasn't going to feel pleasant. The truth is, by nature, discipline doesn't feel pleasant. It pushes us out of the unhealthy patterns or routines we've adopted and forces us to walk in a new direction.

During the course of the year, there are certain milestones we've become used to. There are various holidays we celebrate. There are specific times of year when we intentionally get together with our families and close friends. We attend weddings and other celebrations. At these times of celebration, we enjoy food, conversation, take pictures, tell jokes, and probably make a little too much noise. But it's nice, and it's a welcomed break to our typical routine.

Imagine, however, if all of this was taken away from us. That's what the Lord was telling the people of Judah to expect. That's what He was revealing to them was about to become their reality. He was about to use foreigners as His instrument of correction upon this group of people. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was going to be brought against the people. He would invade the land, make its leaders and people subject to him, and take many of the people back to Babylon as captives. For the people of Judah, the sounds of wedding celebrations, conversational joy, and grinding their grain in freedom would be replaced by a season of darkness and gloom. They had abused their freedom and would now become slaves. Imagine now the people in Ukraine, Russians has started to invade the land they’d used to live.

Understandably, this would have been devastating for the people living at the time. But God is sovereign and was still at work among them. This discipline wouldn't feel pleasant, but it would serve its divinely ordained purpose.

Does God's love hurt? Yes, it is. When God allow painful circumstances into your life for your own best. Does it hurt to be left by your boyfriend, girlfriend, loved ones, wives or husbands? Does it hurt to be betrayed by your friends? Does it hurt to lose your job? Does it hurt to pay 1 million pesos which is not personal debt? Does it hurt to lose a case, and you need to pay? Does it hurt moving from a big house to a room rent? Does it hurt to stop from your studies because no financial support expected anymore? Does it hurt to? Yes, all of these are painful, but God allow these things for a reason.

 

3.  GOD’S DISCIPLINES ONLY LAST FOR A SEASON (HEBREWS 12:10; JER. 25: 11-14)

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Tagalog: Sa loob ng maikling panahon, dinisiplina tayo ng ating mga magulang para sa ating ikabubuti. Gayundin naman, itinutuwid tayo ng Diyos sa ikabubuti natin upang tayo'y maging banal tulad niya. 

This portion of Scripture references a time span of seventy years. What do you think about a period of time like that? Does seventy years sound like a long period of time or a short period of time to you? If you were told that the roof on your house was guaranteed to last for seventy years, would you consider that good or bad? If you were told that you were going to live to be seventy, would that seem too long or too short? If you were told that you were going to prison for seventy years, would that seem like a long or a short time?

The people of Judah were told that they were about to spend seventy years living as captives in Babylon. I don't know if they believed this information when they first heard it because they had a tendency of ignoring and questioning Jeremiah's preaching, but nonetheless, that was exactly what happened to them.

There are multiple ways to look at something like this. In one sense, it seems tragic. In another sense, it seems disciplinary. And in another sense, it seems merciful. This generation of people embraced idolatry, stopped listening to the Lord, and modeled their lack of faith to their children. Now the Lord was going to take them out of their land for seven decades. In that time, this generation would die off. The idols they worshipped would be stripped from them.

Our human fathers “disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them” (Heb. 12:10). (What seemed good to them is an acknowledgement that they didn’t always get it right, even when their intentions were right.) In contrast, God always disciplines “for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness … it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (vv. 10-11)

It was painful for the people of Judah to be in captives for many years, but this happened for a purpose. The good thing is upon the disciplining process, God is there. We just need to be humble to the Lord and submit to His will.

CONCLUSION:

If you've ever experienced a season of the Lord's discipline, what were your impressions of it? Were you able to see it as evidence of His love or did you despise Him for interrupting your comfort? Looking back on it now, can you thank Him for blessing you with His intervention and care?

For many of us, we can testify to the fact that a season of divine discipline was precisely what has convinced our hearts that we truly need Jesus. We need His power, comfort, and presence just as much today as we ever did. Sometimes it takes a jolt or a God-ordained season of pruning to help us recognize that truth.

In any instance of suffering, we do well to ask two questions: What is God wanting to do in me through this? How can God get the glory in this?

Job 5: ¹⁷ Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: ¹⁸ For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

Tagalog: Mapalad ang taong dinidisiplina ng Diyos na Makapangyarihan, ang pagtutuwid niya sa iyo'y huwag mong ipagdamdam. Ginagamot niya ang kanyang nasugatan, pinapagaling niya ang kanyang nasaktan.

The good news is that just as is the case with our earthly fathers, the discipline from our Heavenly Father only lasts for a season.

 

Jerry Bridges put it this way “The purpose of God’s discipline is not to punish us but to transform us.” Billy Graham once said: “God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness.