Sunday, December 30, 2012

On 01-06-13, Philippians 1:12-26 or 1:15-26 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Proclaiming Christ.

Proclaiming Christ
 Philippians 1:12-26 or 1:15-26
International Sunday School Lesson
January 6, 2013



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough


How have tough times changed you?  How have others going through trials influenced you?  Anyone who has endured grueling experiences in their life where their life or that of a loved one is in difficult trials and had the experience glorify God knows what Paul is talking about in our scripture for today.
We look at the agony that Jesus went through in the garden just prior to His arrest and we use that as a guide when we consider how He handled His knowledge of what He was about to endure.
Likewise we study scripture like today’s where Paul though a prisoner through His example Christ is proclaimed thus influencing others to be amazed by his faith and in finding out why they end up Christians.  Other Christians seeing that are motivated to proclaim Christ all the more because their life situation is better than Paul’s so they should be able to proclaim Christ as well.
What happens to us really can serve to advance the gospel.  We become stricken with disease and in our walk through this we have an opportunity to witness for Christ to a new circle of people.  Those that know you and those that are becoming acquainted think, “I want what they have.”
Of course medical issues are only one way that what happens to us can serve to advance the gospel.  Many who achieve success fail to realize that all good things come from God and let that opportunity to give Him the glory slip away when that could have served to proclaim Him.
It is interesting to note that Paul doesn’t care what the motives are or what the reasons are but what is important most of all is this proclamation that “while we were still sinners Christ died for us”.  People want to know why and it becomes about Him and not them.
Paul knew that he had a reward coming and that he would be with Christ.  He was excited about that but he knew that others coming to faith was more important than his single desire for himself.  And though he doesn’t say it directly, it isn’t for them either but that through more and more being added Christ is proclaimed more and more and this ultimately to God’s glory.



For Discussion:

1.      Discuss how Paul’s example proclaimed Christ.
2.      Discuss how some might have thought negatively that Paul was undergoing such things.
3.      Discuss personal examples of how your situation helped you or others to witness.
4.      Is it important that others know what you are going through?  Discuss
5.      Discuss what some are enduring in the world today on behalf of the furtherance of the gospel.  Pray for them.
6.      Discuss the example that Paul uses where the motives of others were not good but yet Paul didn’t mind due to the end result.
7.      Discuss how your class might be a powerful voice for proclaiming Christ both within and without of your church.
8.      Discuss past success in sharing the gospel of Christ and new ways that might join them considering the world we live in today.


Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries



1-13-13:   Imitating Christ aka Jesus’ Humility and Exaltation Philippians 2:1-13 or 2:5-11
1-20-13:   Knowing Jesus Christ aka Gaining in Jesus Christ Philippians 3:1-11 or 3:7-11
1-27-13:   Standing Firm in Christ aka Stand Firm Philippians 3:12-4:1 or 3:12-16
2-3-13:     Focused Solely on Christ aka The Supremacy of Jesus Christ Colossians 1:12-23 or 1:15-20




Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved





Sunday, December 23, 2012

On 12-30-12, Ephesians 5:18-6:4 or Ephesians 5:21-6:4 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Christ’s Love for the Church

Christ’s Love for the Church
 Ephesians 5:18-6:4 or Ephesians 5:21-6:4
International Sunday School Lesson
December 30, 2012



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough




“I will not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.”  Have you ever heard that before?  If you were a big fan of John Wayne movies you may distinctly remember the character of Mattie Ross say that to Rooster Cogburn when he offered her a drink in the movie True Grit.  This of course comes from the book by the same name but the real originator of the statement was William Shakespeare as he wrote the words for the character Cassio from Othello Act II Scene three line 1142.  I’d suggest you read the whole Act to see how a man was changed by putting an enemy in his mouth that stole his brains.

If your lesson doesn’t include 5:18-20 as it does for some that all might not make a lot of sense.  In order to understand the context of what Paul is saying in 5:21-6:4 though it is rather important.   He is talking about going against our natural inclination in our choices.

Paul according to the NIV study Bible scholars, tells us by his choice of words and their meanings that just as choosing to become drunk with wine is a choice and a choice by choice basis so is being filled with the Holy Spirit.  We choose under what we are going to be controlled.

Choosing to submit to the Holy Spirit’s influence is indeed the only way we can put on a true reverence for Christ which in turn is the only way we will truly submit to one another instead of putting our interests and motives first.

Whether it is a husband who selfishly always considers his own wants first or a wife who ignores the order that God has planned or a child who is disobedient they will not consistently think of the other first without submitting to God’s influence. 

There is plenty in today’s scripture for any of us to not like if we are not willing to submit to Him but this is what Christ did despite His position when He “gave Himself up for” the church.  He thought of every one of us before He thought of Himself and this is what Paul is reminding us of in asking us to “submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.”

Yep, it takes an effort and it is something we have to consciously do but with the aid of the Holy Spirit’s influence we can accomplish something for each other that if we don’t is not pleasing to God or showing reverence to Christ.  It seems like if we are going to have a New Year’s Resolution this would be a pretty good place to start.

For Discussion:

1.      Discuss this idea of choosing to be filled with the Spirit.
2.      Discuss what it means in 5:19 to, “speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  I mean it, really discuss it!  How are we doing in that area?
3.      Discuss verse 20’s, “sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
4.      Discuss that we aren’t just talking about husbands, wives and children when we read to “submit to one another.”
5.      Read 1 Corinthians 11:2-12.
6.      Discuss the roll of fathers.
7.      Happy New Year and I hope that my blog has been a blessing to you in the past year!


Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries


1-6-13:     Proclaiming Christ Philippians 1:12-26 or 1:15-26
1-13-13:   Imitating Christ aka Jesus’ Humility and Exaltation Philippians 2:1-13 or 2:5-11
1-20-13:   Knowing Jesus Christ aka Gaining in Jesus Christ Philippians 3:1-11 or 3:7-11
1-27-13:   Standing Firm in Christ aka Stand Firm Philippians 3:12-4:1 or 3:12-16



Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved


Sunday, December 16, 2012

On 12-23-12, John 1:1-5, 14; Ephesians 5:1, 2, 6-14 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Alive in the Light of Christ aka Live in the Light.

Alive in the Light of Christ
 aka
 Live in the Light
 John 1:1-5, 14; Ephesians 5:1, 2, 6-14
International Sunday School Lesson
December 23, 2012



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough


Some of you really get it!  For you the scripture for today was illuminated in your mind and you set out on a course to let the light of Christ be seen in you.  For others of us, we have yet to cooperate enough with the Holy Spirit.
I think that it isn’t too often to tell ourselves and each other that we cannot just believe we must actively live our faith.
Paul tells us, “Be imitators of God” and “live a life of love” and “live as children of light” and actually “find out what pleases the Lord.”  And he doesn’t really mean we have to discover what that is as he just told us in the words that preceded that it is “all goodness, righteousness and truth.
But you as a sinner though you can immediately right now be an imitator of God, you cannot immediately give a good impression of Him.  I grew up watching on TV one of the greatest imitators of the time, Rich Little.  Now I am sure as time went on Rich could take on the task to imitate people such as Jack Benny and Johnny Carson more and more quickly until he became better and better at doing so.  But as with everything it takes years and years to become truly adept.  There are very few that reach the level of professional imitator because they aren’t willing to put forth the effort.
For Christians though unlike people such as Rich Little who have to reach the level of professional in their pursuits on their own, we have a Helper in the Holy Spirit.  But like an amateur who becomes a professional you have to desire that change in status if you are going to see the results, “the fruit of light” as Paul puts it.
Okay, so we make the decision to pursue this change in our life because as again Paul says we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6) but rather slaves to righteousness and this leads to holiness.  Elsewhere in Romans 12 Paul uses the example of our being living sacrifices to God.
Slaves and sacrifices, these are hard words and hard teaching aren’t they?  So hard in fact the vast majority of us would give up rather than undertake them and why some who teach avoid them.  They would have you believe that it is enough merely to be saved by your belief but Paul doesn’t teach that and as he says in Ephesians 5:6-7 from today do not let those who teach things such as this deceive you, do not partner with them. 
Paul teaches instead the truth not what is easy because he wants us not to know God’s wrath but what pleases Him.  Paul says that when we are slaves to righteousness and living sacrifices to God than we are pleasing Him (Romans 12:1).  In so doing we are worshiping God and signifying in the words of one of today’s title that we are “alive in the light of Christ”.
Once we all lived in the dark just as all who haven’t been saved still do.  Those who are unsaved have no desire to worship God so we shouldn’t bear much resemblance to them should we?  The only difference between us and them cannot and should not be that we attend Sunday School and a worship service but after that we are just like them.  This is dare I say it, not even pleasing to God.  Instead our whole lives are to be an act of worship.
The words from today’s scripture tell you how but I think that Romans 12 because it expounds upon it and drives the point home:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.  Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;  if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The more we devote ourselves to living to worship God in this manner the more we will be transformed.  The more we are transformed the less we will resemble our former selves.  The less we resemble our former selves the more we will be alive in the light of Christ.  The more light we live in the more we will lead out of darkness. 
Yes, it is a hard teaching, but it’s the truth.


For Discussion:

1.      Discuss all the different things that John 1:1-5 reveals to us.
2.      Discuss the myriad of ways we can be imitators of Christ.
3.      Discuss what it is to live a life of love.
4.      Discuss the responsibility of not being deceived as it mentions in Ephesians 5:6.
5.      Discuss Ephesians 5:10’s “find out what pleases the Lord.”
6.      Discuss ways that we might expose the fruitless deeds of darkness, even our own.
7.      Merry Christmas, Jed.


Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries


12-30-12: Christ’s Love for the Church Ephesians 5:18-6:4 or Ephesians 5:21-6:4
1-6-13:     Proclaiming Christ Philippians 1:12-26 or 1:15-26
1-13-13:   Imitating Christ aka Jesus’ Humility and Exaltation Philippians 2:1-13 or 2:5-11
1-20-13:   Knowing Jesus Christ aka Gaining in Jesus Christ Philippians 3:1-11 or 3:7-11



Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Sunday, December 9, 2012

On 12-16-12, Ephesians 4:1-16 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Part of One Body in Christ aka Unity in the Body of Christ


Part of One Body in Christ
 aka
 Unity in the Body of Christ
 Ephesians 4:1-16
International Sunday School Lesson
December 16, 2012



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

I am thankful that I worship in a place that all who walk through the doors of our building are, technically speaking, welcome to commune.  But I must also admit that given enough time within those confines it is entirely possible that differences could soon bring their worship to a halt.
It might be that the person has a problem with the frequency of our communion, our method of baptism or how vocal or quiet we are during our service.  It might be that there are secular views that are so front and forward for either party that these views will get in the way.  It could even be something more important such as the Holy Spirit’s place in their worship.
This pains me more than I will get in to, to know that coincidentally that as I am days away from a journey, that as I travel, I cannot walk through the doors of any church and take communion with them according to their bylaws.
We have forgotten many of the reasons for our own divisions.  For many they have been a part of where they worship for so long that they are taken care of so they don’t give it much thought.  But they should.
Recently, in reading about a trial of some Amish men for cutting others facial hair over some difference I found out how radical this outward expression was for the Amish as a general rule.  Like everyone else though when they have a falling out over differences they split up and worship separately.  But in God’s sight the division is still unpleasing whether it is vocal or aggressive or passive.
What Paul was conveying to us in this week’s scripture is that these are the key points to concentrate on:
There is one body.
There is one Spirit.
One Lord.
One faith.
One baptism.
One God.
Today few can agree on any of these anymore and when Paul wrote today’s scripture, these things at least were to be a given.  It was the rest that needed to be worked on.  And that is that since these are clear then we are to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
How?  First clearly in order to have unity and the way to do that is by being “completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” and “through the bond of peace.”  In Romans 12 Paul tells us to “not think of yourself more highly than you ought”.  And goes on to talk as you know similarly as here in Ephesus of our being a body part, if you will, of an entire body.
Why is this so difficult for us?  Quite frankly loving one another seems to be the hardest part of the sanctification process but the one we seem to spend the least amount of effort on.  We work willingly with the Holy Spirit in this process of sanctification growing week by week on those things we know we should but love for neighbor comes the slowest.
This is the reason that Jesus when asked what the greatest commandment was replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
This week I don’t think I can say more on this subject then to offer that you must acknowledge your problem with loving your neighbor just as you do any other problem that must be dealt with.  Than go to God in prayer, constantly consciously be aware of the issue so that it is in the forefront of your mind as you deal with people who differ with you, who irritate you while driving, who sing too loud or off key.  Emulate those who have demonstrated this type of love.  Even go to them and ask for their advice.
Just as we have cast off the other things with the help of the Holy Spirit so can this failing to love as we should be put off.  It seems amazing to say it, but love really does take work but as in all things it is worth the effort.  Don’t miss this final point: if only half of us did it, unity would never be an issue.


For Discussion:

1.      We have Worship Committees, Grounds and Missions Committees; make it a project for your Sunday School class to create a Unity Committee where you worship.
2.      Discuss success in creating unity in the past.
3.      Discuss in general terms failures to maintain unity in the past.
4.      Again in general terms examine where your place of worship might have problems with unity in the future.  Do not let an appearance of success or growth cloud your vision!
5.      Discuss how important it is to put aside our own feelings for the benefit of others and therefore maintain unity.
6.      Where mixed groups worship in the same building but at different times (such as traditional versus contemporary) discuss how unity can and must be created.
7.      Discuss where there is a lack of peace whether your church should have a means to address the situation more aggressively.
8.      Though not discussed in my commentary today the role of those who lead (see vs. 11) is critical for the maturing growth within the church so that those they teach/influence do not act as infants.  Meaning that the more mature the congregation in their faith due to wise teachers will help eliminate disunity.  Not everyone is called or given by the Holy Spirit to be in those roles in which they have been placed within the church which causes much of the problem.

Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries


12-23-12: Alive in the Light of Christ aka Live in the Light John 1:1-5, 14; Ephesians 5:1, 2, 6-14
12-30-12: Christ’s Love for the Church Ephesians 5:18-6:4 or Ephesians 5:21-6:4
1-6-13:     Proclaiming Christ Philippians 1:12-26 or 1:15-26
1-13-13:   Imitating Christ aka Jesus’ Humility and Exaltation Philippians 2:1-13 or 2:5-11




Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved





Sunday, December 2, 2012

On 12-9-12, Ephesians 2:11-22 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as One in Jesus Christ.

One in Jesus Christ
 Ephesians 2:11-22
International Sunday School Lesson
December 9, 2012



Commentary
By
Jed Greenough


I know from my own personal experience that we have a tendency to think too highly of ourselves.  We will read scriptures including today’s and think how they involve or include us.  We can and should understand how we are included or involved but it is more important to see how and why God did it.  In today’s scripture He did it through Jesus.
Before Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, God was the God of Abraham and Isaac, the God of Israel.  Before Jesus, only the chosen people knew God.  The men of Israel from Abraham onward were marked with circumcision to signify this fact.
The law and its commandments likewise had nothing to do with anyone other than Israel.  This too was a mark to signify that these were God’s people.  If you weren’t from Israel you weren’t circumcised and you didn’t follow the law.  The temple was the penultimate representation of these facts.
I think for us today this scripture is rather straight forward but for the gentiles of Ephesus and elsewhere who were new Christians in that day it was needed.  They were new on the scene, so to speak, in worshiping God.  The Jews however had been worshipping him already for thousands of years.  They had to feel a bit like outsiders, a bit like stepchildren.  Remember back then that the church was begun and populated first by Jews and their chief spokesman in Paul was a Jew.
Jewish people who worshiped God would have limited contact with Gentiles and Gentiles would have limited access to them.  The best visual example if you could still visit it would have been the final temple that was built in Jerusalem.  You as a Gentile could enter the outer court but going further would be sacrilege and you would be summarily killed.  Talk about hostile!
The Jews could go in but you were not welcome and once inside the final most inner part was reserved for their priest.
But Jesus because of God’s plan to bring us all together through His plan of grace brought unity and order and peace.  Because of His blood, His perfect sacrifice there is no more need for them to have the law, it was fulfilled.  There is no more need for a temple.  There is no more need for a priest to continue to make sacrifices after the perfect sacrifice that was enough for all. 
Because of Jesus blood all who accept Him are one and whether Jew or Gentile we have access to the Father.  Talk about peace!

For Discussion:

1.      Read Hebrews 9:11-28 to look at why Jesus blood.
2.      Read Ephesians 2:1-10 to see that though they worshipped God, the Jews just like the Gentiles were the objects of God’s wrath and how faith in Jesus unites us both.
3.      Discuss the need to share the gospel with those who until they accept Jesus are still “without hope” and “far away”.
4.      Some still seek to follow parts of the law but this scripture clearly shows that “the law with its commandments and regulations” has been abolished.  Discuss.
5.      It is important to keep in mind order when reading this word peace from today’s scripture.  God is a God of order.
6.      Discuss the idea of a figurative but yet in a sense literal temple to the Lord that is in sight.
7.      Discuss the importance of the last verse.


Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries


12-16-12: Part of One Body in Christ aka Unity in the Body of Christ Ephesians 4:1-16
12-23-12: Alive in the Light of Christ aka Live in the Light John 1:1-5, 14; Ephesians 5:1, 2, 6-14
12-30-12: Christ’s Love for the Church Ephesians 5:18-6:4 or Ephesians 5:21-6:4
1-6-13:     Proclaiming Christ Philippians 1:12-26 or 1:15-26




Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved