The Model - John 4:1-26 - February 24, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – The Model – February 24, 2008

This is our final lesson in this series of study.

Our scripture is John 4:1-26.

We have the opportunity to witness the Master at work witnessing to the woman at the well. HE is our model.

Most often when we go shopping, to the store, on a trip, vacation, social gathering, camping, hiking, a stroll in our neighborhood or to work we don’t think that it will provide an opportunity to witness to someone. But as we all know whether or not we open our mouths with a verbal witness, we do give a witness. That is scary. It is important that all believers keep this tucked back in our minds because the opportunity will likely come in a flash. But I have to admit; I get my mind on other things or just am plain tired, it is difficult to stay focused on seizing that opportunity.

Today’s scripture opens with JESUS extremely tired from a long day, which is so neat because it shows us that JESUS got tired and thirsty as any human does. Remember HE was tempted in all ways like we are yet HE remained sinless. Usually, opportunities to witness come when we are most vulnerable. We are in a hurry, someone has just irritated us, or something has gotten us frazzled. The scripture tells us that JESUS, the SON of GOD, was tired and thirsty. On top of being thirsty HE doesn’t have anything to draw water from the well to quench HIS physical thirst, which is good.

Our attitude is vital when we witness to others. If we have been having a bad day our attitude may need to be adjusted. We may need to utter a simple prayer such as, “LORD I am tired and I have been a bear today and I need an attitude adjustment before I take another breath.” Such a simple, honest prayer brings our hearts in tune with HIS Spirit and turns our minds to HIM. Wrong attitudes can send sour message.

Let’s read John 4:1-6:

1 When Jesus[1] Other mss read the Lord knew that the • Pharisees heard He was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea and went again to Galilee. 4 He had to travel through Samaria, 5 so He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property[2] Lit piece of land that Jacob had given his son Joseph.[3] Gn 48:22 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from His journey, sat down at the well. It was about six in the evening.[4] Lit the sixth hour; see note at Jn 1:39; an alternate time reckoning would be noon

JESUS was traveling from Judea to Galilee via Samaria specifically through a Samaritan town named Sychar. Notice the words John uses in verse 4, “HE had to.” Jews wanting to make the same trip knew of a way to Galilee without going through Samaria. JESUS had a choice but to be obedient to the FATHER, HE had only one (1) choice, go through Samaria. Have you ever experienced a change of direction where GOD used you for HIS purpose? It is exciting!

I recall less than a year ago, I was waiting in my car for a couple to complete some business. The LORD spoke and told me to go into the business and pray with the couple and another person inside that business. I went into the business and almost immediately behind me a lady came in as well. I was hoping it would be just the four (4) of us in the building. The lady who owned the business asked the lady who came in what she needed. She was related to the lady that owned the business and had just stopped by. She turned to me and asked what she could do for me. I had met the owner of the business earlier. She knew that I was the transportation for the couple. I said the LORD laid upon my heart to come in and have prayer. If the roof had not been securely fastened, I think it would have lifted off because there was a loud shout that came from the lady who followed me into the business. The lady said she had not intended on stopping by the business and in fact she had passed by and the LORD told her she had to turn around and go back. She did not know why she had come into the business. She said that was one thing she could do, pray. We had a prayer meeting. GOD is still in the business of changing the plans of those who are willing to serve HIM.

Often GOD will change our plans or direction when HE has a mission for us. If JESUS had been prejudiced, HE could not have been obedient to the FATHER. The same is true for us, as Christians, our prejudice can rob us of serving GOD. Prejudice can take on many forms. It is not only racial, but can include a person’s size, social status, speech, habits, operates a business that lacks social status, etc.

As mentioned earlier, JESUS was very tired and thirsty, two (2) very normal human traits. HE sat down at the well. The scripture tells us that it was evening. Some translations place the time of the event at noon. It is a matter of whether Roman time, 6 PM or Hebrew time, noon was used by John. Many Bible scholars believe John used Roman time (6 PM) since the original text was written in Greek. A case can be made of either time. I lean toward the 6 PM time. The thought is that JESUS left Judea and walked to Jacob’s well, which is about forty (40) miles. JESUS would be tired and thirsty after such a trip. The time of the day is not the key factor but the encounter.

Let’s read John 4:7-9:

7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give Me a drink,” Jesus said to her, 8 for His disciples had gone into town to buy food. 9 “How is it that You, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a • Samaritan woman?” she asked Him. For Jews do not associate with[5] Or do not share vessels with Samaritans.[6] Other mss omit For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

We need to consider several things about the relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans (social barriers):

A Jewish woman would not speak to a Jewish man in public. A Jewish man would not even speak to his wife in public.

JESUS spoke to this woman first, breaking two (2) social barriers - (1) A Jew spoke to a woman. (2) A Jew spoke to a Samaritan. Then what HE asked of her broke another social barrier – HE had nothing to use to drink from, so HE would have to use her container.

The woman immediately identified HIM as a Jew. How did she know HE was a Jew? HIS speech? What HE was wearing? We do not know for sure but some scholars believe it was by HIS accent.

The same is true for believers. When we are in the public often people either know us or about us. If we are having a bad day and our temper is short we may say or act in a short, abrupt manner. Someone watching may say, “Did you see how ugly he or she spoke to the clerk? Aren’t they a Sunday school teacher or sing in the choir at that church down the street?” Christians are on display 24/7. And I quickly admit that I do not measure up 24/7. But CHRIST wants us to measure up 24/7. So what will help us to stay focused? By having and maintaining our relationship with CHRIST.

Only as we maintain and remain in our relationship with HIM can we even begin to think of measuring up 24/7.

For this Samaritan woman to give JESUS a drink of water means, HE will drink from a container that she would provide. A Jew and a Samaritan would not share the same container. Doing so would indicate some type of fellowship or friendship. No righteous Jew would dare contaminate himself by such an association.

Hatred of the Samaritans by the Jews goes back several hundred years. The Jews considered Samaritans to be a racially impure people because they had intermarried with non-Jews but through no fault of their own.

Samaria used to be Jewish territory. However about 722/721 B.C. they were conquered by the Assyrians and half of the Samaritans were carried off to Assyria. Non-Jews relocated into Samaria who intermarried with the remaining Samaritans. Now hundreds of years later the full-blooded Jews looked down on the Samaritans. The full-blooded Jews considered these half-breeds to be social outcasts because they had intermarried with non-Jews.

As we continue, we see that John uses the words “A woman of Samaria.” This lets us know that a woman of questionable character was coming to draw water. The woman seems to be alone, which reinforces her questionable character because the local ladies would not associate with her. She was not on the top of the Sychar social calendar. She was a woman with a past.

JESUS breaks the social barrier by speaking to this woman. She immediately recognizes HIM as a Jew, likely by HIS accent.

Do you see the dynamics in the words exchanged between JESUS and this lady? I think she is feisty and JESUS already knows that. She is a woman who stands her ground and speaks her piece of mind. She has had to defend herself and she is tough. She has a take it or leave it attitude. Oh, but JESUS looks beyond what blows life had dealt her and looks straight into her heart.

JESUS asks for a drink and she fires back to HIM based upon her knowledge of her social status in the minds of Jewish men:
(1) I am a woman and a Samaritan woman.
(2) I know you Jews look down on us both as a Samaritan and woman.
(3) I know you being a male Jew that you look down on me, why would you ask me to give you a drink of water?
(4) For me to give you a drink means you will drink from my “unholy” container. You Jews are so pious. You should have brought your own “holy” containers to get you some water.
(5) But the very fact that HE has asked her for a drink and HE is willing to drink from her container intrigues and pleases her. She may have thought something like, “There is something different about this Jewish man. I will try to find out what it is.”

In a matter of seconds JESUS has gotten her into a spirited conversation. HE sees the energy she has and that she speaks her mind. Do you think HE thought to Himself, “Now, I see why MY FATHER wanted ME to come here. What a great witness she will be!!!” The most unlikely becomes the most likely in the hands of GOD provided she accepts CHRIST as her SAVIOR.

Getting people engaged in a conversation is a good why to witness to them. Find common ground to begin a conversation. Remember JESUS said I speak only what MY FATHER tells ME to speak. When we witness we must have the HOLY SPIRIT leading us as we engage in the conversation. HE will lead the conversation into the exact area that it needs to go.

This woman has fired back with several good questions. She wanted to know, “What is your motive for asking me for a drink of water because I know you Jews do not associate with us Samaritans?”

Let’s read John 4:10-12:

10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would ask Him, and He would give you living water.” 11 “Sir,” said the woman, “You don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”

JESUS answered her question with a question. HE has her attention. JESUS said, “If you only knew the gift of GOD and WHO is asking you for a drink, you would ask HIM and HE would give you living water.” JESUS tied HIS physical request for a drink of water to spiritual matters. JESUS said, “If she knew the gift of GOD.” Several possibilities come to mind regarding “the gift of GOD” – grace, GOD’S Spirit, or the Messiah. JESUS used the word “Gift.” A gift is freely given to a person and cannot be earned. We know by reading ahead that she does know about the coming Messiah. JESUS used these words to shift her thinking from physical water to Spiritual water or living water. If you only knew who was speaking to you, you would ask HIM to give you a drink of living water. The term “living water” was used in the Old Testament to refer to the cleansing grace of the HOLY SPIRIT resulting from a person having a right relationship with GOD. In some instances it was a metaphor for GOD.

If you had the right relationship with GOD, then you would have known to ask ME for “living water” and I would have freely given it to you.

Living water got her attention from two (2) points of view:
(1) Living water is not stagnant water but flowing water. This is likely the connection the woman first made with this reference to living water.
(2) Living water referred to the refreshing and cleansing grace of the HOLY SPIRIT.

The idea regarding “living water” intrigued her. But her thoughts are centered on physical water and wanted to know more about this living water. How do YOU plan to get this water since you do not have a bucket? So where do YOU get this living water? She knew that physical living water was water that flowed either from a deep well or on the surface. She knew the area was not aware of any moving surface water. She poses another question, “You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are YOU?” To me this last statement leads me to think that she is beginning to see JESUS as someone very special and HE has her attention.

Let’s read John 4:13-14:

13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again—ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well[7] Or spring of water springing up within him for eternal life.”

JESUS knows HE has her attention and interest, so HE continued the conversation regarding “Living Water.” HE knows she is thinking about physical water but HE wants to lead her to focus on the Spiritual. JESUS moves from the physical to the Spiritual by comparing the physical water to Spiritual water. JESUS ties eternal living water to Himself. HE is the source of this eternal living water.

Her mind is turning and she thinks if I can satisfy my need for water then I won’t have to come to this well every day. She focuses on satisfying her physical needs.

Let’s read John 4:15:

15 “Sir,” the woman said to Him, “give me this water so I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.”

She wanted this water so she would not have to come to the well again. It was clear that she had not made the connection JESUS wanted her to make. So HE goes one (1) step further.

When witnessing it is important to allow the HOLY SPIRT to reveal to you when you need to continue to probe to bring enlightenment.

Let’s read John4: 16-24:

16 “Go call your husband,” He told her, “and come back here.” 17 “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’ ” Jesus said. 18 “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain,[8] Mount Gerizim, where there had been a Samaritan temple that rivaled Jerusalem’s yet you [Jews]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus told her, “Believe Me, • woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans[9] Samaritans is implied since the Gk verb and pronoun are pl. worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

JESUS knows HE will have to probe more. HE requested her to go get her husband. She answers HIM honestly. She does not have a husband. This reveals to HIM her heart. Then JESUS takes another step and revealed to her that HE already knows about her. She makes the connection that HE is a prophet. But she must have questioned, “If HE is a prophet and already knows about me, why is HE speaking to me? But HE is speaking to me.”

She wanted to know where JESUS was coming from Spiritually because HE had stepped over many social barriers that a regular rabbi would not have done. So she asks HIM a spiritual question, “The Samaritans have their place of worship and so do the Jews.” It seems that she knows the scripture and HIS answer to her question was important to her. Some say she was trying to change the conversation. That could be true but I think she saw JESUS as someone who was not the typical Jewish rabbi and she felt comfortable discussing Spiritual matters with JESUS. To me she seems to be very intelligent.

The bottom line was JESUS said it was not a matter of where you worship but it is the attitude of your heart when you worship. I think that matched up with her belief. She liked that answer.

Let’s read John 4:25-26:

25 The woman said to Him, “I know that • Messiah[10] In the NT, the word Messiah translates the Gk word Christos (“Anointed One”), except here and in Jn 1:41 where it translates Messias. is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” 26 “I am [He]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. ,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.”

JESUS knew her heart all along, SHE KNEW ABOUT THE COMING MESSIAH!!!! I think she had never heard such an answer in all her life and it was so refreshing. She did not see how ritual was the way to worship GOD. True worship was all about the attitude of the heart and a person was not limited to worshipping in a certain place. Since HE had answered her question the time was right to reveal Himself to her.

What unspeakable joy must have flooded her heart when she heard “I am [He]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. ,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.” I AM THE PROMISED MESSIAH STANDING HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE.

Let’s read John 4:27-30:
The Ripened Harvest
27 Just then His disciples arrived, and they were amazed that He was talking with a woman. Yet no one said, “What do You want?” or “Why are You talking with her?” 28 Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the men, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They left the town and made their way to Him.

Did she encounter the living CHRIST? Without a doubt! She left her water jar and went straight to tell others. Seems that she all of sudden forgot being a social outcast. She had encountered the MESSIAH.

There is nothing more beautiful than a life that CHRIST has changed.
CHRIST the model. HE engaged her in conservation by finding common ground that involved both of them – HE needed a drink of water and she had the means to provide HIM with what HE needed. HE used this common ground to let it lead them down a path that would lead them to a conclusion. HE was patient, engaging and sensitive to her questions. HE used her questions to lead to another level of pursuit. HE controlled the direction of the conversation. HIS focus is on the target of bringing her to a point of decision. This is important because Satan will provide tangents and distractions. The person witnessing must control the direction of the conversation.

The most unlikely became the most likely. In GOD’S hands all people are precious to HIM regardless of what life has dealt them. HE has a plan for each one of us. Never think because of your past life that you cannot be used mightily by our LORD. The blood of the LAMB has redeemed all believers and all believers have been saved by grace. None of us can claim spiritual superiority. Our LORD teaches us how and when to witness through the HOLY SPIRIT. It is never about how many souls we can brag about, it is about serving our LORD and being obedient.

Every witness does not produce salvation. Often we are called to plant a seed, do some watering, encouraging, weeding and many other things that fit into the plan of GOD. Just know that no matter how small a witness we may think we have given, when salvation or repentance comes to the person whom we have been led to witness comes about, our account in the heavenly treasury becomes a little larger. Only when we get to heaven will we know how many we have influenced to accept CHRIST.

Our part is to remain and maintain our relationship with our LORD and be willing to do as HE asks. Here am I LORD use me.

The Messenger - Luke 9:57; 10:1-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-12, 16, 17-20 - February 17, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – The Messenger – February 17, 2008

This is lesson three (3) in our series of study.

Our scripture is Luke 9:57; 10: 1-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-12,16, 17-20.

A messenger can deliver a message without witnessing or even knowing the contents of the message. In the olden days, if a messenger delivered a message and the recipient did not like it, the messenger could be killed. The poor messenger had nothing to do with the content of the message.

In our lesson today, we need to think of the messenger as one who knows about the message he or she is delivering. These seventy (70) messengers are witnesses and can speak with authority about the message they are delivering. They have been appointed or called to deliver a specific message.

In last weeks lesson, I stressed the importance of our personal testimonies. First, we must be grafted into the vine or lifeblood of JESUS through salvation. Then we grow and mature in JESUS as we walk with HIM on a daily basis and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to teach us and enlighten us to truth. Then as believers we can bear testimony or witness how CHRIST has impacted our lives and how HE continues to reveal truth to us.

This is important, because the more we know JESUS, the more HE can use us. We can only witness to what we know and experience by getting to know HIM through the process of sanctification or building a relationship. So “ground zero” is salvation. We all have a salvation story and our salvation testimony begins day one and continues until we leave this earth. We will learn more about JESUS as we read the Bible, pray, worship, serve and experience HIM. Then GOD uses us to not only give our salvation testimony but to give witness to other spiritual insights HE reveals to us as we grow and mature.

Let’s read Luke 9:57-62:

57 As they were traveling on the road someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go!” 58 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky[25] Wild birds, as opposed to domestic birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” “Lord,” he said, “first let me go bury my father.”[26] Not necessarily meaning his father was already dead 60 But He told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.” 61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

These verses will help us better understand the first two (2) words in Luke 10:1. JESUS had been preaching, teaching and preparing some in the groups that followed HIM to launch out in ministry. We see in these verses that some want-to-be disciples had certain creature comforts they needed or things they wanted to do before becoming a disciple.

When we look back at the calling of the twelve (12) disciples, each dropped what they were doing and followed JESUS. There may have been some called who hesitated and missed the opportunity. We only know about those that dropped what they were doing and followed HIM.

This is true when given the opportunity to witness. Often, when the opportunity is presented, there are only a few seconds or minutes to respond. We must always be ready to respond to the opportunity. Say what the LORD lays upon your heart to say. Often, when these moments of opportunity are available, things move so quickly you will likely not remember what you said. But know that the message you spoke was from GOD to that person, delivered straight to his or her heart. Satan will try to tell you, "That was just awful." He wants to defeat you. So rejoice in the LORD because HE gives the opportunity and the increase.

Let’s take a quick look at the first two (2) words in Luke 10:1.

We see “after this.” After CHRIST’S encounter with these want-to-be disciples, HE appointed seventy (70) disciples who knew what JESUS wanted and were willing to respond.

Luke 10:1-2:
1 After this, the Lord appointed 70[1] Other mss read 72 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 He told them: “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

Some manuscripts record seventy-two (72) disciples. The number seventy (70) has historical significance. Seventy (70) members of Jacobs’s family traveled to Egypt.

Genesis 46:27 27 And Joseph’s sons who were born to him in Egypt: two persons. All those of Jacob’s household who had come to Egypt: 70[9] LXX reads 75; Ac 7:14 persons.

Moses appointed seventy (70) men to serve as elders along with him.

Number 11:16-17: 16 The Lord answered Moses, “Bring Me 70 men from Israel known to you as elders and officers of the people. Take them to the tent of meeting and have them stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put [the Spirit]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. on them.[21] 2 Kg 2:9,15 They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.[22] Ex 18:18; Dt 1:9–13; Ac 6:1–6

The Sanhedrin consisted of seventy (70) men. There is nothing which ties the seventy (70) to a specific purpose other than this is the number JESUS chose.

JESUS was preparing to evangelize the area because HE knew that HIS time was short. HE had taught these disciples and they in turn were prepared to teach others. They were to go to every town and place where HE was about to go. They were forerunners, much like John the Baptist.

They were sent in pairs. So thirty-five (35) dedicated pairs of disciples set out to do the work of the LORD.
So why pairs? There are several possible reasons:
- To encourage each other.
- To confirm the message delivered.
- If the people of a certain area rejected them, they were to move on to another area. Two (2) witnesses could confirm that fact.
- According to Jewish law all one needed to confirm a fact was a witness of two (2).
- When you hear the report of their mission trip, I would want a brother or sister to confirm all that happened because it was out of this world.
- It just dawned on me the story I told you about last week there were two (2) of us.
- I think it is always a good idea to have two (2) go together.
- One can witness and the other can pray or entertain a child or another person.

Luke 10:3-4:

3 Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t carry a moneybag, traveling bag, or sandals; don’t greet anyone along the road.

JESUS tells them that it will not be easy. HE is sending them out like a bunch of lambs going into a bunch of wolves. Wolves are people who prey upon believers, such as false teachers or persecutors of those calling themselves Christians. On top of that these disciples are to travel on faith. They are not to carry a moneybag, traveling bag or sandals. They will have to depend upon GOD to take care of them for their food, any change of clothes or extra sandals. The general belief is that they had on a pair of sandals but they were not to take an extra pair. This goes back to Moses and the Israelites, when they wandered in the wilderness and their sandals did not wear out.

I caution believers not to step out on faith unless you have been called to do so. Some times we are tempted to trust GOD by stepping out on faith, when in reality we are testing GOD. This will get us into trouble every time. There is a gift of faith and those who have it can step out all day long but if you do not have the gift, then wait for the call.

Then JESUS tells them not to greet anyone along the road. I thought this was strange but it was customary for the Jews to talk along the road. If another Jew happened to see people engaged in a conversation along the road they were free to join them and speak their piece. JESUS knew HE was on a timetable and nothing was to hamper them getting the message out.

Luke 10:5-9:

5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a son of peace[2] A peaceful person; one open to the message of the kingdom is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t be moving from house to house. 8 When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you.’

When the pair arrived at their assigned destination, when someone offered them hospitality, they were to accept and bless that household. If there was a believer or a person worthy of the blessing present then the believer would be blessed. If not then the blessing would return to the person offering the blessing.

I love to ask the LORD to bless a household that has invited us in when we are on mission trips. This is true for households that show hospitality any time. Once they were in a house they were not to move to another house and they were to eat whatever was served to them. Sometimes young people have trouble with this. They do not know anything but pizza. But the world does not revolve around pizza.
If any were sick in the town, they were to pray for their healing and to give a message the “The kingdom of GOD has come near them.” The healing power of JESUS was known in many areas. JESUS had given these seventy (70) disciples the power to heal. Many believe this was a one-time gift of power to be used as they spread the news that the kingdom of GOD was near them. It seemed to be a sample of better things to come when JESUS would come to their area personally.

Luke 10:10-12, 16:

10 When you enter any town, and they don’t welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We are wiping off [as a witness]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. against you even the dust of your town that clings to our feet. Know this for certain: the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me. Whoever rejects you rejects Me. And whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

JESUS told them when you enter into a town and they do not welcome you, tell them, “We are wiping off [as a witness] against you even the dust of your town that clings to our feet. Know for certain: the kingdom of GOD has come near.”

The penalty for rejecting GOD is severe. I do not know who would issue the formal welcome but someone would make a decision not to welcome them. This is why proper leadership is vital when you go to an area to serve. One person or several people may not welcome the missionary pair but the entire town was held accountable to GOD. Churches, school, cities, states, nations and companies all can miss blessings because of having the wrong leadership.

Christian’s are to be obedient to what GOD asks us to do. Those who listen will be listening to the message CHRIST wants to be delivered. If the message is rejected, they are not only rejecting JESUS but they are rejecting the FATHER as well.
Christians who obediently deliver a message that is rejected should never feel that they themselves have been rejected. Those rejecting the message are rejecting both JESUS and GOD and will be held accountable.

Let’s read Luke 10:17-20:

17 The Seventy[4] Other mss read The Seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash. 19 Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions[5] Gn 3:15; Dt 8:15; Ps 91:13 and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you. 20 However, don’t rejoice that[6] Lit don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

The seventy (70) returned rejoicing over all that they had witnessed, it was beyond human belief. They were glad that a second person with them confirmed all the amazing things that had happened to them. JESUS said HE saw the battle in the spirit world. Most scholars believe that these powers JESUS granted to these seventy (70) were temporary. But whether or not they were temporary or permanent is not the issue. JESUS had to bring them down to earth. They had been on a spiritual high and now HE had to give them a dose of reality. I think many of us need a dose of reality every now and then.

It seems that JESUS said, oh you saw marvelous things and you saw power like you have never seen before. But you must never loose the joy of fact that YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN FOR ALL ETNERNITY. NOW THAT IS SOMETHING TO REJOICE ABOUT. IT IS NEVER ABOUT HOW MUCH POWER ONE HAS BUT IT’S YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN HEAVEN? IF NOT YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT IT IS WRITTEN THERE RGIHT NOW BY ASKING JESUS TO FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR SINS AND ASKING HIM TO COME INTO YOUR HEART NOW!

The Message - Galatians 1:1-9, 11-12; 3:1-9 - February 10, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – The Message – February 10, 2008

This is lesson two (2) in our series of study.

Our scripture is Galatians 1:1-9, 11-12; 3:1-9.

The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Christians of Galatia because a group of Jewish Christians in Galatia called Judaizers had altered the gospel. These Judaizers thought that a Christian, particularly a Gentile, had to first become a Jew by observing the Jewish religious laws, customs and practices, such as circumcision, to be saved. After they became a Jew then they could become a Christian. Paul set them straight, that no one is to add anything to the requirements for a person to become a Christian. CHRIST in the person if what makes a person a Christian and not ceremonies or any kind of works. Paul is appalled that these Christians in Galatia strayed so quickly from the Christian foundation he had taught them.

Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians about 49 AD. This issue was, ultimately settled by the Jerusalem Council in 50 AD in favor of Paul’s position. CHRIST in you makes a person a Christian and full salvation. Salvation is by grace through JESUS CHRIST WHO gave HIS life to pay the penalty for sin and death for every human who accepts that fact.

Even today we have to be careful not to add traditions, customs and practices that have nothing to do with salvation for a believer to follow. The criterion for being a Christian is CHRIST in you.

Believers may have issues in their lives that need to be dealt with but the presence and power of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT can lead them to deal with them. Dealing with some issues may require professional help. Some issues may need to be brought under the authority of CHRIST and either be removed from our lives or brought under HIS control.

GOD does not want HIS children to have known sin in their lives. Sin is anything that GOD identifies as sin in HIS Word, not what man says is sin. Often we as humans try to define sin according to our dictates, traditions or notions. The Ten (10) Commandments are still a guide for all Christians. JESUS said HE came not to destroy the law but to fulfill the law. Matthew 5:17 “17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

To me the most powerful message is our personal testimony of how we received CHRIST as our SAVIOR.

One of the most powerful testimonies, I have heard over the years, was of a man who accepted CHRIST at about 9 years of age and grew up in the church. Many would say that sounds boring. He knew our LORD and when he presented his testimony, CHRIST showed through him to others. He is with our LORD now but many souls accepted CHRIST through his simple testimony.

It is vital that GOD provides the opportunity to witness to others. The worst and most uncomfortable situation is when we try to witness in our own strength. But when we are led, then the person’s heart has been prepared. We must keep in mind that it is GOD that leads a person to Himself. We get the notion that we do it and put notches on our spiritual guns. GOD uses us to say a word or to bear witness but HE gives the increase.

Some times we think we have blown a witness. I believe when we are led of the LORD, what is said, fits into HIS plan for that person’s life. It may not make sense to us but in the hands of GOD it is just what was needed. If we witness in our own strength then that is another story.

It is vital that once a person gives his or her heart to JESUS that he or she begins to develop a relationship with HIM and learn of HIM. This is where many of us drop the ball. We get them their fire insurance and they never get to know the joy and benefits of their salvation and walking with the living LORD each day. Even though we have been born-again, it does not make us bullet proof to the world, sin or the tricks of Satan. The flesh is with us 24/7 and it wants to always rule our flesh kingdom but GOD wants to rule our flesh kingdom. To allow GOD to rule our flesh is dying daily to self and that is a conscious decision by each believer.

This is why building and maintaining the relationship with our LORD is vital.

Paul reveals that born-again Christians can be misled. The Galatians had a thirst for adventure and exploring the exotic. The Galatians liked magic and some liked black magic. Many Christians also like the occult. The occult will capture you and enslave you before you know it.

“Oh, just in fun tell me your sign.” A nice well meaning but misled lady said to us while we were dining on a cruise. As each one seated around the dinner table gave their sign, she came to us. And my wife and I said, “Our sign is the “Cross.”” She was stunned and so were others at the table. She had never heard of sign of the cross. So we had an opportunity to tell her. She insisted, “Oh, this is just for fun.” It may have been fun to her but it was serious to us. We didn’t give her our zodiac sign or our birthday. We then learned that she was very heavy into this subject and even had a business card printed offering her services. Later, another Christian couple also seated at our table said they were uncomfortable giving her their sign because they are Christians. We were not trying to be a spectacle, just obedient.

CHRIST in us is a reality and the Bible tells us to stay away from, avoid and flee from anything to do with the occult. Horoscopes, tarot cards, séances, fortune tellers, etc. all deal with the occult and Christians must avoid.

As Christians our spiritual message is always CHRIST centered. CHRIST in us is the hope of glory. The message of salvation is simple.

This week a friend of mine and I went to a local restaurant for lunch. We got there about 11:30 AM. We ordered and the cook told us to go ahead and take a seat and he would bring our food to us. We stopped by the cashier to pay and chatted for a moment. Our conversation quickly turned to getting your legal things in order because you never know when you might die. Someone had told her about a book that was a guide to do that. She commented that one never knows when their life will end. She said, “In fact, I could be hit by a truck going home this afternoon and be killed.” I turned and asked her, “If that should happen do you know where you would go?” She said well. “If I am prayed up, then I would go to heaven.” I said being prayed up has nothing to do with it. It is a matter of whether or not you have CHRIST in you. I asked her if she had CHRIST in her and she said yes. I said, “It is CHRIST in you that gets you to heaven” or something close. In fact it all happened so quickly my head was spinning.

We went to our table and after several minutes she came over to our table with a chocolate, chocolate chip cookie with whip cream, YUM, in the shape of a smiley face. She said that conversation we had was so uplifting that she wanted to share something with us. That surprised us because it went so quickly and it did not seem so profound to us. But, what seems so ordinary to us is powerful in the hands of GOD. We both rejoiced because GOD had touched her life through those simple words.

Never under estimate what GOD can do with simple words, HE wants said.

A message of salvation is important but GOD also wants HIS children to deliver many messages for spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, functioning in the living body, building and maintaining a relationship with GOD through CHRIST, assurance of salvation, true worship, obedience, serving GOD and the list goes on and on. GOD has a plan for each believer. HE prepares HIS children to be obedient to HIM and serve HIM. This is why we must have the relationship with HIM. Let HIM teach, train, equip and direct us as HE desires.

Copied below is the Roman Road to salvation, which is a good tool to use to present the gospel of salvation to others.

Romans 3:23 - 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the[20] Or and lack the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 - 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 - 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

Romans 10:8-10 - 8 On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.[6] Dt 30:14 This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.

CHRIST Centered Message.

Let’s read Galatians 1:1-9:

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me: To the churches of Galatia.[1] A Roman province in what is now Turkey 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord[2] Other mss read God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. • Amen.
Paul opens his letter with a gracious opening. He states that his authority comes from JESUS and GOD and not from men or man. He gives a brief statement of the statement of faith. Some people in Galatia were questioning his authority. At this writing, Paul had been a Christian for about fifteen (15) years.

No Other Gospel
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ, [and are turning]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another [gospel]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him![3] Or you, let him be condemned, or you, let him be condemned to hell; Gk anathema 9 As we have said before, I now say again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him![4] Or received, let him be condemned, or received, let him be condemned to hell; Gk anathema

Paul is shocked that the Christians of Galatia embraced an altered gospel so quickly. Young Christians are eager to learn about spiritual matters and can be vulnerable to distorted teachings. As Christians we must be very careful when we preach, teach or give a spiritual message to always present truth not something to tickle the ears of our audience. The gospel is simple but often we try to make it difficult.

Paul stresses twice that there is one (1) gospel, CHRIST in you. To add any thing to the message of salvation is to deny the power and completeness of CHRIST’S death on the cross for the salvation of all believers. If a people could earn their salvation then CHRIST died in vain. JESUS Himself made it clear in John14:6 that HE is the way, truth, the life and the way to the FATHER.

John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Paul stated that even if he or a supposedly angel changed the message from what he spoke the first time he preached to them, don’t believe it. Here the reference to an angel is a focus on the occult and the one behind the occult is Satan. Satan loves to confuse believers.

It is easy to spot a lie but a twist to the truth is usually very difficult to spot. This is where a believer must know the scriptures and rely on the HOLY SPIRIT to alert them to false teaching. GOD equips believers with a spiritual gift called discernment. Discernment sounds the alarms when false teaching is presented. That is why it is vital to maintain your relationship with GOD through CHRIST on a daily basis.

If a believer is considering becoming a part of a new fellowship, it is important that the believer find out what that fellowship believes about JESUS. If their belief differs in any way from what the Bible says, then do not go there.

Let’s read Galatians 1:11-12:

11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not based on a human point of view. [5] Lit not according to man 12 for I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul stresses that the gospel he preached came straight from the living CHRIST Himself. Paul stresses that no Christian should deviate from what Paul has already preached to them. There is one gospel and he received the truth from CHRIST. Bible scholars are not sure when he received this special teaching from JESUS Himself but they think it was at a different time than his conversion experience on the road to Damascus.

Let’s read Galatians 3:1-9:

1 You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, [1] Other mss add not to obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed [2] Other mss add among you as crucified? 2 I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? [3] Lit by law works or faith hearing or hearing the message 3 are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh? [4] By human effort 4 did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? 5 So then, does God[5] Lit He supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?[6] Lit by law works or faith hearing or hearing the message 6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness,[7] Gn 15:6 7 so understand that those who have faith are Abraham’s sons. 8 Now the Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, all the nations will be blessed in you. [8] Gn 12:3; 18:18 9 so those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith. [9] Or with believing Abraham

Galatia was replete with magicians and black magic. The Galatians liked to explore various false teachers’ arguments. It was challenging. Many believers like to debate the scriptures, particularly young people. But if a believer is not well grounded in the Word and firm in their knowledge of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, then debating can be confusing. I know in my college years, I was tripped up. It took me a long time to get back on track.

Paul wanted to know what charlatan or worker of magic hypnotized them into believing an altered gospel because he knew they received the truth. Paul wanted to hear from those who had been misled, personally. He knew they had received the truth because they had manifested evidence of receiving the HOLY SPIRIT. Once they had received the truth somehow they embraced an altered gospel. Paul wanted to understand what went wrong. How did they go from solid believers to embracing an altered gospel? Had he not explained the fundamentals well enough or some aspects of the gospel that resulted in them being led astray? Whatever the reason, he wanted to make sure that it would never happen again.

He asked them to think about what they had done. Does GOD work in your lives through your flesh or through faith? Do you ever achieve a relationship with GOD by works or through faith? The obvious answer is through faith.

Hebrews 11:6:

6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Paul is trying to get them to look at the activity of the flesh versus the activity of faith. He knew that they were familiar with the story of Abraham and how GOD looked upon his faith. They knew that faith linked them as descendants of Abraham. They were aware that GOD had accredited Abraham’s faith to him as righteousness. They knew that those who exercised faith were considered sons of Abraham. To be considered a son of Abraham was not reserved for the Jews alone but for anyone who has faith in GOD through CHRIST. To make this faith connection Paul quotes what GOD told Abraham, in verses 8b and 9 - All the nations will be blessed in you.[8] Gn 12:3; 18:18 9 So those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.[9] Or with believing Abraham

Believers are believers because of faith in CHRIST. Therefore, all believers are sons and daughters of Abraham. All believers have the rights, privileges and promises that GOD made to Abraham and his offspring. Some time do a study of the promises GOD made to Abraham and his offspring. It will blow your minds.

Paul reminded the Galatia believers that they had gotten off course and they needed to get back to the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

The spiritual message is critical and the need for us to stick to the fundamentals of the Christian faith is critical. This is particularly true for young believers. They can be very vulnerable to a modified gospel.

Today many of us hear debates such as all one needs to do is follow any religion and you will be fine. How can a loving GOD send anyone to outer darkness or hell? Why should any one take a chance, when JESUS Himself told us:

John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you have never asked JESUS to forgive you of your sins and asked HIM to come into your heart, do so right now. Settle the matter now. Your right to heaven is based upon what CHRIST did for you on the cross. HE died where you should have died. HE died in your place but you have to acknowledge and accept that fact. If you make that decision, I would like to hear from you.

The Motive -

Sunday School Lesson – The Motive – February 3, 2008

We begin a new series of study for the month of February entitled “Giving Away the Gospel.”

February 3 – The Motive – Why witness to others?

February 10 – The Message – What can we say to a spiritually lost person?

February 17 – The Message – What is required to witness?

February 24 – The Model – What actions are needed for effective witnessing?

Our scripture is Luke 15:1-2 and 11-24.

Obedience to our LORD pleases HIM. When believers seek to have a relationship with HIM, HE prepares them for the work HE has for them to do. Often believers try to do the work they think is important. It is important to seek the relationship and get to know the LORD first. Then allow HIM to direct your spiritual activity.

Look back at our studies beginning in October, 2007 with the Beatitudes. We see in the Beatitudes the building blocks for the ideal disciple from GOD’S perspective. Through our ongoing relationship with our LORD these attributes become a natural part of our Christian growth and maturity. When we try to achieve these attributes in our own strength, we will be a basket case. The lessons which followed the Beatitudes led us to examine the motives of our heart. Then we explored the foundation of our faith through the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of CHRIST. After the ascension of CHRIST to heaven HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell each believer. The HOLY SPIRIT confirms in the heart of every believer his or her rebirth in the spirit as GOD’S children and reveals truth. In the month of January we discovered through David’s relationship with GOD that when we have the relationship with our LORD, HE reveals HIS strength, care, comfort and provision. This is Good News. As believers, we all have wonderful news to share with others.

Most new Christians find witnessing easy because they have discovered their wonderful new relationship with their SAVIOR JESUS. They have heard about JESUS but now they are experiencing HIS presence in their lives. It is exciting and HIS Word, the Bible, has become a book they can finally understand. It is like a veil has been lifted from their spiritual eyes and they see truth in HIS Word. The HOLY SPIRIT is now their teacher and revealer.

Believers witness to others whether they want to or not. The very fact that they call themselves Christians automatically puts the eyes of the world and other Christians upon believers. A believer may never utter a word of formal witness to another person but his or her life will say volumes.

To some Christians, witnessing to others seems to be easy and comes naturally but to many of us it is difficult. Many of us fear that we will say the wrong things or fear that we cannot answer all the questions a person has. The list of barriers goes on and on.

This is why all believers must focus on their relationship with CHRIST first. GOD equips believers with the confidence to witness to others as HE directs. When a believer is led by the LORD to speak to another person about spiritual matters, HE gives the opportunity and the message.

To me the most powerful tool Christians can use to witness to others is their testimony. Some people may ask difficult questions to try to divert the conversation when a Christian is trying to witness to them. Some questions are impossible to answer. But there is one thing certain, the Christian can always say, “There was a time in my life that I was a lost sinner or separated from GOD by sin and I was blind to the love of GOD but I confessed my sins to CHRIST, HE forgave me and I received HIS forgiveness. Now I have a new life in CHRIST.” I am not saying that you have to say these exact words but give your testimony about the time you received CHRIST as your SAVIOR. No one can argue with you about your encounter with the living CHRIST and your salvation experience.

If you have not written out your testimony, take a moment to either write it or to at least think about your salvation experience. It is always good to have a short version and a longer version. There are times when the one (1) or two (2) minute version of your testimony is appropriate.

I remember the first time I witnessed to a person. I was scared to death. I trusted the LORD to give the opportunity and HE did. We began to talk and an opportunity came for me to give him my testimony. When I finished the person turned to me and said, “I have been thinking about things like this lately.” GOD had prepared this person’s heart. All I had to do was to be obedient. This person did not pray to receive CHRIST at that time but the LORD gave me the opportunity to tell him how to become a Christian.

It is important for us to keep in mind, when we witness, we may or may not have the opportunity to pray with the person to receive CHRIST as their SAVIOR. Our part may be to spiritually plant a seed, do some watering, a little weeding, adding some fertilizer or reaping the harvest. When we are led by the LORD to witness, the results are always left to HIM. We may think, we have blown it, but in GOD’S hands it is exactly what is needed in that person’s life.

Let’s read Luke 15:1-2:

1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. 2 And the • Pharisees and • scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!”

JESUS had been speaking to large groups of people. The crowds were a mixture of those the Jews despised, tax collectors and sinners. Tax collectors were fellow Jews who collected taxes for Rome. They had to collect and pay to Rome certain amount of tax but any overage the tax collector could keep. So the practice was to collect more money than was needed, so there would always be some money left over. Thus the tax collectors became very rich.

Sinners were also Jews who did not keep the law and the over 900 additional rules the Pharisees practiced to be righteous before GOD. Sinners were also, non-Jews or Gentiles.

Then we have the scribes. Scribes copied and studied the scripture. They were often also Pharisees and were considered the experts of the law.

The religious leaders were complaining that JESUS associated with those they rejected and looked down upon. In fact JESUS even ate with them. In that day to eat with someone was to become friends with them. To the righteous Pharisees this was repulsive. How could JESUS be this great religious person and embrace these outcast people?

JESUS knew the hearts of both the self-righteous religious leaders and the tax collectors and sinners. So HE tells them three (3) stories or parables. Notice the numbers JESUS used. First 1 out of a 100, then 1 out of 10 and then 1 out of 2.

HIS first parable is about a lost sheep. The sheep wanders off and gets lost. It likely does not know it is lost but the shepherd knows it is missing. The sheep knows it is in a bad situation but it cannot get out of the situation. The shepherd goes to search for the sheep. He leaves the 99 sheep, safely in the fold, to go find the one (1) lost sheep. When the sheep is found we can picture the tender love the shepherd has for the lost sheep. JESUS shifted the focus of the parable from an earthly situation to focus on GOD’S care for even a lowly sheep. Finding the lost sheep results in rejoicing both here upon earth and in heaven. If heaven will rejoice over a lost sheep, how much more will heaven rejoice over a person lost from GOD being brought to GOD.

The parable of the lost coin. The coin had no part in the fact it is lost and does not know it is lost. But to be found it is totally dependant on the woman to find it. The woman seeks to find the lost coin. The ten (10) coins were likely a wedding gift. They were like a wedding ring. A woman looses one (1) of the coins. This is traumatic for her. So she diligently searches the house for the coin. When she finds it, she rejoices and calls in her friends to celebrate with her. Again, JESUS shifts the finding of the lost coin from an earthly situation to the joy in heaven. GOD rejoices over this.

Now we come to the parable of the lost person. A person has a will and GOD gives him or her the right to choose. In the previous parables the lost sheep and the lost coin were sought. In this parable, the father does not go to seek the younger son but waits for the son to make a decision to come home. The father waits expectantly for the return of his son. The crowd JESUS was speaking to was made up of sinners and Pharisees. The young son represents the sinners and the older brother represents the Pharisees. The father represents GOD. Both the younger brother and the older brother do not have the right relationship with their father. The younger brother leaves home to escape his father and the older brother stays at home. Even though the older brother stayed at home, his relationship with his father is strained.

Let’s read Luke 15:11-16:

11 He also said: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets[3] Lit livelihood, or living to them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. 14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.[4] Lit and he began to be in need 15 Then he went to work for[5] Lit went and joined with one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from[6] Other mss read to fill his stomach with the carob pods[7] Seed casings of a tree used as food for cattle, pigs, and sometimes the poor the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any.

Jewish law allowed a son to request his inheritance before his father died. In this parable the younger son makes this request of his father. According to Jewish law the young son was entitled to one-third of his father’s estate. The older brother would receive two-thirds of the estate. The father would continue to live on the estate until he died. In fact when some fathers decided to retire from managing the farm, they would turn it over their children. The father would continue to live on the estate/farm until they died.

The father complied with the young son’s request. The young son wasted no time in turning his assets into cash, gathering his belongings and leaving home. He goes to a far country, which generally means he went to Gentile territory. The young son wanted to get as far away from home as possible and he wanted to experience life to the fullest. He attracts some fair weather friends who help him go through his money in a hurry. His money runs out and bam, a famine hits the area. The young man finds himself broke, no friends and hungry.

He goes to work for a Gentile pig farmer. This shows how low he had to go. To a Jew touching a pig was considered unclean. But this young man had to touch and feed the pigs. He was so hungry that even the pig’s food looked good. The pigs were fed carob which has a gelatinous type substance in it. Even some of the poor people ate carob. But they would not even let him eat the carob.

This young man had gone about as low as one can go. Often in life a person has to hit bottom before they come to their senses. Feeding pigs and being hungry causes a person to do some serious thinking. When a person hits bottom there is only one way to look, up.

Let’s read Luke 15:17-24:

17 When he came to his senses,[8] Lit to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying[9] The word dying is translated lost in vv. 4–9 and vv. 24,32. of hunger![10] Or dying in the famine; v. 14 18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck,[11] Lit He ran, fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father told his • slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger[12] Lit hand and sandals on his feet. 23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

Survival is a strong incentive for a person to take action. The young son thinks about home and the fact that his father’s hired servants were much better off than he was. A hired servant had no job security. There were three (3) levels of servants: (1) slaves – Slaves were considered part of the family and they supervised the household servants. (2) Household servants (3) Hired hands – Hired hands are day laborers and could be dismissed at any time. No security. The young son chose the lowest position of hired hand.

This shows that he had swallowed his pride, admitted that he was wrong and was willing to leave his current lifestyle to return to be under the authority of his father. This is true repentance. He had a change of heart. Remember GOD looks upon the heart and it is the heart that needs to change. The heart rules the will. This young man decided to take action and return home.

The young son thought about what he would say to his father. He first acknowledged that he had sinned against GOD and his father.

He thought it through and then put his plan into action. Often, we think of things we should do but we never get around to doing them. This young man meant business. He knew the heart of his father and trusted him to at least give him a job. He fully realized that he made a big mistake.

While the young son was quite a distance from home his father saw a figure coming toward home. As parents we know our children. The father had been waiting, hoping and praying for this very day. While the young son is still far off the father’s heart leapt with joy and he ran like the wind to his son. He had never run so fast in all his life. His joy was overwhelming. The young son was smelly from his journey but the father never noticed the smell. The father focused on his young son. That was all that mattered. His son was returning home.

The father embraced his young son and the son began his speech but the father immediately began to shout instructions to the slaves. QUICK!!! Bring me the things that will show my son that he is still my son of honor and not dishonor – a robe to replace his dirty clothes, a ring to symbolize honor, dignity and authority and sandals to designate son-ship.

Kill the fatted calf and let’s have a party. Such joy is overwhelming. Repentance always brings overwhelming joy to our FATHER in heaven. His young son was considered dead but now is alive again. Repentance had restored him to the relationship with his father and his father welcomed him with open arms.

All of us have gone astray but GOD is patiently waiting and watching for us to repent and to return to him. Do not allow Satan to rob you of the joy of returning to your heavenly FATHER and asking HIM to restore the joy of your salvation and full fellowship with HIM.

All sinners are dead but when we ask CHRIST to forgive us, HE does and we are made alive in our spirit through the miracle of rebirth. At that moment, we receive the gift of eternal life. All believers remain in their bodies or earth suits until we die physically. At that time, our born-again spirits will be released from our earth suits and we will go immediately to be with our heavenly FATHER because CHRIST died for us. CHRIST satisfied the death penalty. All believers will go immediately to live in heaven with GOD until CHRIST returns to earth for the second time. At that moment all believers return with HIM and they will receive their glorified bodies, which will be like CHRIST’S glorified body.

Now that is Good News! Share it with those who do not know it. Sharing the Good News of JESUS is witnessing. If you knew of a cure for cancer and you had a friend dying of cancer wouldn’t you tell him or her? Sure you would. Well, every human will die and stand before GOD either justified through faith in CHRIST or not.

I like a sure thing. My right to enter heaven is through CHRIST. I will enter heaven on HIS credentials and through no merit of my own.

Are you secure in CHRIST? If not ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now. When you do, share this Good News with your friends and family.