Tuesday, March 1, 2016

The 3-6-16 lesson for Mark 9:14-29

Hey Folks,

At least for now and this time and this blog the pen has run dry!

I started to prepare for this lesson and I just realized I was tired of what I had to say.  Not the message but the messenger!

If you have been in a position especially in the church for too long you begin to settle in, you begin to worry about your retirement security, you begin to think about how much you like the situation.  If you are in this situation you know what I am talking about.  Will you be honest enough to deal with it on your own?

Sometimes moving on is not quitting and I encourage you to examine your position from time to time.

Bottom line it is is not about you or me.  Look at the servant that Christ was.  He showed that we are to have our priority for the glory of God.  How will you do that?  I have to find a new way!

Blessings!

Jed

Monday, February 22, 2016

On 2-28-16, Leviticus 23:33-43 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Heritage and Hope or Feast of Booths

Heritage and Hope
 or 
Feast of Booths 
 Leviticus 23:33-43
February 28, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough




The last few weeks I have noticed something that I was wondering if it also struck you.  Remembering the past is important to God.

Quite often we hear things like, “don’t dwell in the past, it isn’t healthy”.  But someone else might say that, “those who fail to remember the past are doomed to repeat it”.

I know what both mean by their view.  On one hand there might be things in the past that were important or significant to you but you can’t bring them back such as a love of your life or a great career.  Dwelling on them is indeed unhealthy.

But when you look at the other side you can see how the certain things must be remembered or a folly or a blessing might be repeated or appreciated.  The instance that popped into my mind was one with the actor Nicholas Cage who supposedly during a string of really good success bought and bought and bought thing after thing like homes, luxury cars, dinosaur skulls, islands and then got into trouble financially.  One hopes that in the future he will remember the folly and be more responsible with his blessings.

We have seen how God wanted Israel to remember how they lived.  About the slavery and the Passover and how they lived in the wilderness.  He wanted them to remember how He delivered them and He wanted them to remember to be Holy.

Do you remember how you use to live before you had Jesus?  God wouldn’t want you to go back to living that way for one hour let alone one week like the Israelites did with their temporary shelters but I am confident He wouldn’t want you to forget.

So often when we first become saved our fires burn hot and we pant for the Lord but then the fires dim.  Often the fire is rekindled when we fall on hard times and we again turn with passion to Him.  It is better that we remind ourselves so that we remember how He delivered us from our slavery to sin and death.

Remembering is important.

For Discussion:

  1. Discuss how remembering can be both unhealthy and healthy.
  2. Discuss how Israel failed to remember.
  3. Discuss how we fail to remember.
  4. Discuss the importance of traditions.
  5. Discuss how/why some attack traditions.
  6. Discuss how stopping or failing to hold traditions of remembrance can lower standards.





Upcoming Lessons

3-6-16     Powerful Faith Mark 9:14-29





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

Monday, February 15, 2016

On 2-21-16, Leviticus 16:11-19 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Day of Atonement or A Clean Slate

Day of Atonement
 or 
A Clean Slate 
 Leviticus 16:11-19
February 21, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough




It is always so interesting to read about the days when Aaron made the sacrifices or the later priests, especially the head priests, once the temple was built.

I find it fascinating that according to Hebrews 8:5, “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.  This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

A copy and shadow of what is in heaven is so intriguing to contemplate.  And so is that only the High Priest could enter into the most holy part or that he is to use two handfuls of incense and not one or three.  Or that this priest must conceal the atonement cover with the resulting smoke or he will die.

We could go on with the peculiarities of all that must be done.  Some make sense in that this priest must first atone for his own sins before he can do anything about the sins of the people.

So many things had to be cleansed from the person to the people to the tent to the alter.

Why is all this?  My best guess is because God is holy.  When one equates sin to darkness and we read in 1 John 1: 5 “in Him there is no darkness at all”.  One thinks about darkness being the absence of light and light being the absence of darkness.  That is God. 

But a people chosen or set apart had to aspire to be like God.  Leviticus 20:26 reads, “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

Ultimately we know that all of the details no matter how well followed were insufficient to deal with sin.  They couldn’t even, according to Hebrews 9:9 “clear the conscience.”

And thus the necessity for Jesus.  

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.  He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,so that we may serve the living God!”  Hebrews 9:11-14

The book of Hebrews in it’s entirety is really integral to see why the blood of Christ was necessary.  And I don’t just mean to see how the sacrifices were used to purify the copies on earth and that Christ’s blood was necessary for the heavenly things but the bigger picture of one sacrifice once for all.

I don’t think we will ever really totally understand though while we are here but we can learn to accept God and His holiness and to accept that we no longer need have a guilty conscience and that we ourselves can enter that Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10) and draw near to God.

For Discussion:

  1. Discuss the fact that death could await the High Priest or anyone else entering the Most Holy Place that was a copy.
  2. Discuss how we can now, our little own selves, enter the Most Holy Place.
  3. Discuss if you can trying to wrap your brain around the idea of how God is holy and being in his presence  is just not done.  Except, that is, because of Jesus.
  4. Discuss the fine details that had to be followed in these sacrifices and offerings.
  5. Discuss that we may now come to God but do we do it with less awe and shaking knees than we should?
  6. Read all of Leviticus 16.
  7. Read Romans 3:21-26.





Upcoming Lessons

2-28-16     Heritage and Hope or Feast of Booths     Leviticus 23:33-43
3-6-16     Powerful Faith Mark 9:14-29





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

Monday, February 8, 2016

On 2-14-16, Leviticus 23:15-22 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Feast of Weeks or Bountiful Harvest

Feast of Weeks
 or 
Bountiful Harvest
 Leviticus 23:15-22
February 14, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough


We have talked about how God had a children to raise up in Israel, we have talked of how they and of course we all learn by example.  Even more recently we have talked how God in setting up these times to commemorate Him not only brought Him the glory He deserved but these commemorations also served to protect and to save them.

This week as we see yet another ordinance here called the Feast of Weeks we see a prescription that might seem a bit “fuzzy” or hard to understand due to all the details involved.  We should recognize though that by glorifying God with their first fruits the people of Israel were able to honor and acknowledge all He provided to them.

By not keeping all they have been blessed with, whether it be these sacrifices and offerings or in not harvesting every last grain from the field there was one more way they could gain insight into God.  The people learned again how to be holy.  They learned that God gives freely and so should they.  Honoring God and providing for the less fortunate was the way to live.

As with last week’s study this ordinance is not for us but it can serve to show how God thinks.  His ways are not naturally ours but just as the Christian should strive for sanctification so should they strive to understand Him.

If we in our way do not reap to the edges of our fields or glean all from them but save them for those in need we will learn just a tiny bit of what it is to give like God gives.  If we tithe even though we no longer have to of the first fruits of what we are given we will be honoring Him with our own ordinances which is even better because we are honoring Him in a true spirit and in truth.

If you are doing this already you know and can testify how right it is.  If you are not you must start and you will see that what I say is true.  Do not be afraid, do not be guilty about the thoughts of concern when you do it as this is natural.  But eventually the doubts will become few and it will be just as natural for you as breathing.

God wanted the children of Israel to do it for their own benefit and I guarantee you that you too will benefit but that won't be why you do it.  Your fellow man will be better because of you.  There will be more opportunities for those who minister, there will be more people fed, fewer people in need of clothes or shelter, and not nearly as many lonely souls.

At least as far as you are concerned there will be a balance in how you live, and you will have done it by choice.




For Discussion:

  1. Discuss ways you have given thanks for the bounty God gives you.
  2. Discuss tithing success and failures.
  3. Discuss different ways in today’s world that we can help others by not reaping the edges of our fields or gathering the gleanings in a manner of speaking.
  4. Read Ruth 2.
  5. Discuss how the people benefitted.




Upcoming Lessons

2-21-16     Day of Atonement or A Clean Slate     Leviticus 16:11-19





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

Monday, February 1, 2016

On 2-7-16, Exodus 12:1-14 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Passover or Free at Last

Passover
or 
Free at Last
Exodus 12:1-14
February 7, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough



Commemorate.  When you commemorate someone or something you celebrate that person or thing, you make memorials, you recall and respect this.  That is the instruction albeit with details that God gave to Moses for Passover.  

Now normally when you commemorate someone you do so with it being your idea.  You might have a celebration every year in remembrance of a grandparent or another important family member who has passed on or you might be celebrating an event by commemorating it like an anniversary.  But when you are gone the celebration of recognition ceases.  God however said this commemoration of Passover was to be for generations to come not to cease with the ones he was about to save from slavery.

This is important why?

  1. Israel might become slaves again.
  2. Israel by forgetting would fall to other “gods”.
  3. Israel would forget God.

So by instituting this remembrance God was glorified but by giving Him the glory Israel was also protected.  

It can be almost certain based on human nature that not all followed the instructions given here and were not spared by the destroyer.  It is also most certain that among those who survived many did not continue to keep the Passover.

Some would come back to it just as some come back to any faith.  Some would keep it because they were raised to and others would not because they were not.

We as Christians do not need to keep the Passover but we should use it as an example for ourselves in the things that we should commemorate.  We should meet together, we should be faithful to baptism and communion.

We can encourage others to come back to their faith, we can raise up our families so that they will commemorate Him as well.  Failure to do so will lead to becoming lost just as it did for Israel.  Falling again to the slavery of sin, falling to other “gods”, forgetting God.

We can bring glory to God and save ourselves at the same time.




For Discussion:

  1. Can you relate this to Christians who say they don’t need to go to Church?
  2. Discuss other ideas for the importance of Israel keeping the Passover.
  3. Discuss the idea that many may have failed to keep even the very first Passover.
  4. Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-32
  5. Discuss how Israel was strengthened by remembering Passover.
  6. Discuss how Christians are strengthened by meeting together, celebrating baptisms and partaking in communion.



 Upcoming Lessons

2-14-16     Feast of Weeks or Bountiful Harvest Leviticus 23:15-22






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

Monday, January 25, 2016

On 1-31-16, John 11:38-44 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as The Death of a Friend

The Death of a Friend
John 11:38-44
January 31, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough


Sickness, accidents, murder and old age.  These are just some of the ways that death strikes us.  The grief that is usually then expressed ranges from stunned silence to the tearing and clutching of hair and clothes.

I am sure you have seen in person, in print or in some media and perhaps even in yourself where in grief an individual either feels abandoned by God or knows the comfort of God.  The latter more often an eventual comfort than immediate.  

Mary and Martha didn’t feel immediate comfort because they felt the pain of their brother’s absence but they knew and believed in the resurrection so the point should be learned—grief is okay even if you believe.

Knowing that you will no longer have that person to talk to, laugh with, help or be helped by is painful.

Jesus knew how this would all turn out when He said in verse 4, “This sickness will not end in death.”  But yet He grieved with and for Lazarus’ family and friends.  

It seems almost astounding knowing as He did what He was about to do and the joy that would soon come their way!  Isn’t it comforting to know that this is the one who sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us?  (Romans 8).  

This is especially true when we know that those who have died are His but it is the complete opposite when we know that they are not.  Then how do you comfort the grief?  For this I have no answer save to say what will you do to prevent it for others in the future?

Sharing the gospel message should not be something you are afraid to do if you love someone.  And to whom will you limit your love?

For Discussion:

  1. Please read my blog entry from 5-20-12 where the subject of Lazarus was covered previously.
  2. Talk about your own experiences of grief and comfort at the death of a loved one.
  3. Discuss dealing with those who grieve at the loss of a loved one who was not saved.
  4. Discuss what Mary, Martha, their friends and Lazarus must have felt after this miracle.
  5. Discuss those who still held Jesus a grudge.
  6. Discuss what Jesus went through during this.







Upcoming Lessons

2-7-16     Passover     Exodus 12:1-14






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

Sunday, January 17, 2016

On 1-24-16, John 2:1-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Wedding in Cana

A Wedding in Cana
John 2:1-12
January 24, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough



I’m sure you have seen one of those sitcoms where someone either went up to a professional in a social situation or was afraid to bother them to ask them a question.  The Doctor or Lawyer or whatever the character was sometimes felt put upon for doing something for which they normally get paid.  They might say why don’t you call my office and make an appointment.

Jesus, no mere doctor, was in a social situation and when asked to get involved with His “talents” asked His mother in verse 4 why she involved Him.  But He didn’t ignore the situation because He wasn’t on the clock, so to speak, but took care of the situation.

It makes me wonder about people who have been given God given talents, some of which, yes, are gifts of the Spirit and who when asked decline.  Is that you?

Oh, I know sometimes we are tired or we are really otherwise engaged for the time we are being asked.  But other times we let our fatigue or our business or even our fears do the replying with our NO.

If one is a teacher and good at it and someone asks you to teach Sunday School the fact that you are already doing it 5 days a week and perhaps working on it 6 causes you to say no to that Kingdom work.

Maybe you are just busy and Wednesday nights are a time you want to decompress and someone wants you to visit an elderly relative of theirs in the hospital or at their home because they respect your Christian walk.

Probably the most common is that someone recognizes your ability and they want you to do something that you fear.  You may even want badly to do what they ask but you are afraid to do that very thing.

We do not compare to Jesus but He was still a man in a social situation just trying to be one of the guests.  I am certain He was relishing the day knowing what soon lay before Him.  He just wanted to be.  

But Jesus didn’t let His personal moment, His knowledge of what He was to soon endure get in the way of doing something which might seem inconsequential that He could do.  Yes, they probably could have gone somewhere and acquired more wine with only a little delay but He was asked, He had the ability and He gave.

It might seem inconsequential but it was a true example of His servant heart and one we should strive to emulate.




For Discussion:

  1. Please read what I had to say about this scripture on another occasion in this blog on 3-18-12 found over on the right side of this page.
  2. I love how good the wine was!  Discuss that!
  3. Discuss Jesus’ statement to His mother.
  4. Discuss what Mary said.
  5. Discuss wine that is created from something rather than just appearing.
  6. Discuss why Jesus mother was involved.
  7. Discuss the apparent absence of Joseph.
  8. Discuss all the roles of Jesus that day.



Upcoming Lessons

1-31-16    The Death of a Friend John 11:38-44







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

Monday, January 11, 2016

On 1-17-16, Hosea 1 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as An Unfaithful Bride

An Unfaithful bride
Hosea 1
January 17, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough


Yes, I will agree with most who view the relationship between Hosea and Gomer as reflective of the relationship between God and Israel.  If that is what you are pursuing though for your lesson preparation you will have to go check out the wealth of resources that exist that delve into that as I will not be.

What moves me rather is what Hosea had to endure and it raises a question.  How much time have you ever spent appreciating those who work for God and in effect work or have worked for you?  They might have been Hosea way back then or it might be a teacher, preacher or missionary.  Think about the things that God has asked them to do or go through so that you might learn.

In today’s scripture God wants Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman.  Surely this will motivate you to read all of the book of Hosea which should lead you to appreciate Hosea.  It is a tough lesson to see what God does through His servants to get His point across.

This makes me think about what our pastors, missionaries and individuals are asked to go through in their kingdom work.  Does it make you pray for them or support them in other ways?

Sometimes they suffer at mortal man’s hands.  Sometimes they are sharpened by God.  Who benefits? We do!

I think this lesson and the month of January are fitting months to begin a new year appreciating and showing that appreciation through prayer and support for those who do work from which we benefit.


For Discussion:

  1. Discuss what God was asking of Hosea.
  2. Discuss examples of what others have had to endure for the kingdom.
  3. Discussing prayer for those who work for the kingdom.
  4. Do you thank God for those who went before like Hosea?
  5. Was Hosea the father of all the children mentioned?
  6. Discuss verse 4 and 11 together.


Upcoming Lessons

1-24-16     A Wedding in Cana John 2:1-12







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

Sunday, January 3, 2016

On 1-10-16, Song of Songs 6:4-12 or Song of Solomon 6:4-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as The Most Beautiful Bride

The Most Beautiful Bride
Song of Songs 6:4-12
or
Song of Solomon 6:4-12

January 10, 2016




Commentary 
by
Jed Greenough



Her lover browses among the lilies.  He says she is beautiful like a city or troops with banners and she has hair like goats and teeth like sheep!

Despite what some might say we cannot entirely know what is being said here in today’s scripture because it came from within.  Different things have different worths and meanings to people depending on what they hold in high regard and certainly the time and culture from where they came.  But it is enough to know that they are in their love attempting in words to convey the depths of their feelings.

I might use a sunrise or sunset, the sounds of a distant river or the mists along the trees in the morning.  You would use the words that are a part of who you are because like me they stir in you a depth of emotion and that again is what you want to convey.

What does this have to do with us, why should we study it?  I think the answer is as varied as the poetry we would write but for me it is clear.  I believe that love, being as much a part of our lives as birth and death, should have its place in the Bible.

You can read about the struggles of sin, greed, hunger, murder within those pages so I am very happy to read about the feelings of intimacy we see in this scripture and throughout Song of Songs.

It might be true that there is some deep other meaning that this whole book is alluding to but I for the umpteenth week in a row think again that this is another over complication of God’s word.  

If you think that this all an allegory for something else, it might be.  I’m confident that God’s word is rich enough for that to be true too.  I just hope that if you use this as a source of inspiration for writing of your loved one you can come up with some better comparisons for them besides comparing them to dozens of other women, some fruit or livestock!  Have fun with that!

For Discussion:

  1. Does a discussion of God’s word always have to be serious?
  2. Discuss the way these natural things are discussed in polite or veiled ways.
  3. Discuss your favorite verse found within today’s scripture or all of Song of Songs.
  4. Discuss why her hair would be like a flock of goats.
  5. Discuss why her teeth are like a flock of sheep…
  6. Discuss how he is trying to show that she is alone in her uniqueness.  
  7. Discuss how a book like this helps you as a Christian.




Upcoming Lessons

1-17-16     An Unfaithful Bride     Hosea 1







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