October 18, 2009
Monday_ Luke 10:25-29 (NIV) – 25 on one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
For Class Discussion
1. Doubtless, many people had questions for Jesus Christ! The Romans, Herodians (Jews who gained position and financial gain from supporting the causes of King Herod—basically lying about and spying on their fellow Jews), the Pharisees and the Sadducees (religious leaders of the Jewish faith) were comfortable as the ruling authorities. They had position, power—respectability. The Pharisees and Sadducees were charged by Almighty God to look over His flock, Israel. Theirs was the knowledge of God’s word. Their forefathers had passed down the stories of God’s awesome miracles and their ears had heard His promises. All these things were to be freely shared and taught among their brethren–God sees, God loves, God delivers and saves! Further, the Jews were to be a light until the Gentiles (us). Of course, they did none of the above. The entire Jewish Law included the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God, their correlating requirements which were laid out by Moses. As time passed innumerable and unnecessary oral or unwritten laws were arbitrarily added by these religious leaders over a period of time. These additional requirements were referred to as the “traditions of the elders.” Mere “traditions” of men. The people were oppressed by the Roman government and their religious leaders. Heavy-burdened—heavy-laden—almost totally void of hope. It had been 400 years since they had had a word from God. These masses were thirsty, hungry for God.
a. Why this constant testing of Jesus? What do you suppose those in authority were afraid of?
b. The Romans and Herodians we can readily understand were afraid of losing their positions and ruling power, but, the respected leaders and teachers of the Jewish faith?
2. The stage had been set for the coming Messiah by John the Baptist—a voice crying out in the desert for repentance and baptism. Thousands of Jews had followed John’s baptism in preparation for the coming Messiah! Expectation and anticipation reverberated throughout Jerusalem. How long Israel had waited for her King! Oh, beloved, worlds were about to collide! Now, Jesus (the God-Man) enters the scene preaching the kingdom is at hand, teaching the multitudes and performing miracles never before seen by any generation!
a. The people have shown a readiness to receive their king, but for some, there may have been some underlying reasons—none of which had anything to do with their eternal futures. What might some of the people been expecting?
3. This is not the same “expert” we learned about last week in Matthew 22:34-40. Nor, is the question the same. Last week we saw Jesus questioned about the “most important” commandment. That “expert,” though answering correctly, was totally unaware that the awesome, fearsome level of God’s holiness is such that if we break one commandment—we break them all! (James 2:10) That “expert” might be seen as one trying to attain to the holiness of God. Can’t do it!
4. Now this “expert” asks a more pointed question—what must he “do” to inherit eternal life.
5. Dear Jesus! He really is the Master at getting to the heart of the matter. Amen? Ah, but today we get a glimpse of how this particular “expert in the law” just might have felt a “prick” of his own conscience looking into the eyes of our Lord! He probably felt he was a pretty good guy, but just for clarification he needed to know specifically who his “neighbor” really was! It’s call self-justification. After all, he couldn’t actually be required to call someone unlovely or unlovable his “neighbor?” How about lepers? sinners? the poor, lamed, crippled? Why, of course, those “types” would be so beneath him! You see, social classes, prejudices, pride, self-glorification and self-gratification have been alive since the beginning of time.
a. What does Romans 3:20, Romans 4:15 and Romans 7:14 tell us about the Law and our ability to fulfill its requirements?
b. On his own, was this “expert” able to live up to any of the requirements of the law, even if broken down to their simplest, yet, ultimate interpretation given above? Read Romans 8:1-4, Galatians 5:16.
c. What would seem to be paradoxical in show this “agape” God love to others is that we must “die to ourselves.” See Romans 6:6-12, 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 and Galatians 2:20.
d. Attempting to self-attain to the holiness of God—pride—the sin of satan!
e. Attempting to “do” something (deeds, tithing, alms, etc.) to earn your way to God—a work of the flesh (sin nature) and totally unacceptable before God!
f. So, how do we know we have eternal life? (John 3:14-22)
Tuesday_ Wednesday_Luke 10:30-37 (NIV) – 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
For Class Discussion
1. Both the priest and the Levite who came upon the wounded traveler “saw” this man deep need. Yet, only the Samaritan man saw him and felt deep pity! A Samaritan is of mixed Jewish descent (Jewish and Assyrian) and therefore was looked upon as being inferior to those of “pure” Jewish heritage. These two races hated each other! Samaritans were often referred to as “dogs.” Flash forward to modern times. Can you think of any instance(s) when prejudice is used as an excuse to overlook someone’s need?
2. Please know that “religion” or “legalism” will ever compel us to move out in love and compassion.
3. It seems apparent that this Samaritan was on that road for another purpose. Perhaps he had plans that may have been very important to him. What are some of the daily circumstances that influence us and cause us to “pass over to the other side” when confronted with the needs of others?
4. In a study by Beth Moore, I learned that the word “pity” is the same word used as “compassion” in the KJV. The word compassion is literally translated, “to be moved with sympathy from the deepest part of your bowels.” Like those “religious” leaders who passed by this man, how often do we as Christians pass by others, “see” their need, yet we are never moved to this gut level of compassion?
5. Lets read the command of Jesus in Matthew 5:40-44. How did the Samaritan “go the extra mile?”
6. Is serving God always convenient? Safe?
7. Real love acts first! (1 John 4:19). There is a little “word picture” of our Jesus in that Good Samaritan! Jesus “saw” our need. Romans 5:8 shows to what extent Jesus was willing to go to bring us back to the Father. How did he respond to our need?
Thursday_ James 1:22-25 (NIV) – 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.
For Class Discussion
1. What is that perfect law that we look into that gives us freedom to walk in God’s ways? (1 John 4:16-19)
2. Forgetfulness! Beware, dear ones! Even though we have accepted Christ Jesus into our lives, the truth is that sinners we once were and sinners we still are! Thank God, that Jesus is called the “Friend of sinners! (Matthew 11:19)
a. Have doubts about that statement, please read Romans 3:10-18! Oh, that’s where grace (God’s unearned, unmerited favor) steps in and rescues us all through Jesus Christ our Lord!
3. Be doers of the Word! Women can appreciate the writer referring to a mirror! Women always want to look their best! Now hang with me for a bit. Imagine your hair is sin! How many times a day do you check to see if each and every hair is in place? Is it look fresh or a little wind blown? Well, that is exactly how we should be examining our lives to see if we are measuring up to the light and beauty of our Lord, Jesus Christ. After all, we are to become like Him! Perseverance comes in handy here. Oh, we’re not there yet! So, we press on…one step closer, another step closer—until we see Him face to face. And, guess what! We shall be like Him! Shining bright like the stars! So, don’t give up—don’t become discouraged—it’s a process! God started it and God will complete it until the day of our Lord. (Philippians 1:6)
4. When we think of love, we forget that love is not only to be extended to our brothers and sisters in Christ, or even to a lost and dying world. Love is also meant for us! Like a healing mirror, God’s Word reveals our hearts—the good and the bad! God’s Word is never used for condemnation towards the believer! No, God uses His holy Word and His Holy Spirit for our cleansing and to free us from our sin; from our filthy habits, and from our own lack of love! How else can we ever hope to reach others, offering them forgiveness, hope and love if we don’t first experience that same forgiveness, hope and love for ourselves? No, as God’s sons and daughters must constantly graze into God’s holy mirror and see His truth—not what we think we look like, or how we may remember we looked from a previous time in our lives! Let God show us the ugly, dark things of our “now”! The things we don’t want to admit, or the things we want to hide from—if that were possible! Remember Adam and Eve in the garden? Oh, child of God, we so need God’s light! That’s where we find the freedom this verse is talking about! See the sin, and let God’s Word change our darkness into light! This is impossible to accomplish on our own—look to the sources we are given in 2 Peter 1:3-9 . They are available for every single situation in our lives!
5. Another component of love is hearing! When God’s truth really and finally sinks in, we must listen with our hearts, agree with God that what we are saying, doing or thinking is sin, and move forward to the change(s) He is calling us to. Remember, He is the source of our strength!
6. The most important element of love is in the doing! It’s in the doing that we are promised blessing! What blessing are you looking for today? A million bucks? (That won’t go very far these days!) A fine new automobile? A palatial home? Fancy clothes? Nice. Oh, but the blessing of God is His stamp of approval on our lives! His Amen to us! We’ll be blessed in all that we do! Wow!
7. I hope you know that religion is man’s idea of reaching up to God—much like trying to build our own tower of Babel! Mercy, love, kindness, and forgiveness, and grace is God reaching down to man through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ! One leads to death. One to eternal life! Again, a choice!
a. God the Father considers man’s attempts at “religion” as worthless! All of man’s efforts—gifts to charity, the outward appearances of “righteous” living, long-winded, pious prayers (that priest and that Levite!) These are mere “works”, inspired by a feeling of “I ought to”. God laughs at such foolishness! You see, those “works” are more often for others to see and approve of. The danger lies in that man begins to fool him/herself with the lie called “good works”! God “sees” the source of all motivation—our hearts! That’s where the true source and proof of God’s love is—in our heart actions! God’s “agape” love for us inspires the heart attitude of “I want to”! Big, big difference! When we chose to “want to”, that is a faith driven action inspired by the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit.
Friday_James 2:14-18 (NIV) 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
For Class Discussion
1. James goes even further in declaring, “Faith without works is useless—dead. This seems to contradict Ephesians 2:8. So, what about the thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43?) Oh, and look at John 6:28-29! Any thoughts?
a. Ephesians 2:10 seems to back up James’ assertion. God has give each of us gifts to be used to build up His church (See Ephesians 4:8; Romans 12:6-9; 1 Corinthians 12.) How are you putting to work the gift(s) God has given you? A mature Christian “lives” his/her faith! True faith results in change (See Galatians 5:22-23)
b. 1 Corinthians 13 shows us a more excellent way—love! Oh, beloved of God—love! 1 Peter 4:8 gives us a rich promise if we follow the law of love. What is it?
