Friday, May 31, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday June 2, 2013
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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
(Responding to GOD’s holiness with awe and a contrite heart)
(Isaiah 6:1-8)


The Prophet Isaiah was born in Jerusalem, into the family of Amoz, who was related to the royal house of Judah. He spent his early years as an official of King Uzziah (Azariah), who reigned over Judah for 52 years (2 Chronicles 26:3). In the year that Uzziah died of leprosy, around 740 B.C. (2 Kings 15:5), Isaiah received his calling from GOD, in a stirring vision, one day in the Temple at Jerusalem (Isaiah 6).
Isaiah was married to a woman, who Scripture only describes as the “Prophetess” (Isaiah 8:3), and he was the father of two sons, who bore highly symbolical names. Shear-jashub (Isaiah 7:3), his first son, whose name means “a remnant shall return”, prophesies the return of the Jews to Judah, after their deportation and captivity had ended in Assyria. The second son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, (the longest word in the Bible), whose name means “swift spoil, speedy prey”, prophesies the doom of Damascus and Samaria, and the destruction of Syria and Israel, who had formed an alliance against Jerusalem. 
Isaiah’s connection with the royal family may explain why he was always able to enter into the presence of the king, seemingly at will. His active career spanned from around 738 B.C. to, at least 701 B.C., and probably, even up until 690 B.C. He lived through a succession of political crises, including the intervention of Assyria (2 kings 16:5), the Syro-Ephraimitish War which began in 734 B.C. (2 kings 15:37-16:9), the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:5-6), the siege of Ashdod by king Sargon in 711 B.C. (Isaiah 20:1), and the attempted invasion of Sennacherib in 701 B.C (2 Kings 19).
Isaiah has well been called the “Prince of Prophets” and the “Prophet of Faith”, as he has become a sublime figure of Faith in the supremacy of the “Spiritual” over the “Earthly”, and GODLY ideals from on High, over the brute force and physical power of men on earth. For Isaiah to have combined such lofty faith with his practical statesmanship, he shows that he is essentially a man of action, and is worthy of being called one of the greatest men of any age.
To Isaiah, GOD was first and foremost, a holy GOD. In fact, the holiness of GOD was the first thing that impressed Isaiah when he saw GOD in all HIS glory in the temple at Jerusalem here in Isaiah 6:1-8. However, GOD’s holiness also reminded Isaiah of his own sin and weaknesses, an effect that the knowledge of GOD should have on us all. Isaiah’s humble cry shows no resemblance to mere surface humility, but rather, it manifests a deep realization by the prophet, of the overwhelming superiority of GOD’s holiness.
After confessing his imperfections before the presence of the LORD, and being cleansed of his sins by GOD, through the placement of the hot coal upon his lips (symbolic of a burnt offering on the altar), Isaiah now stands ready to, both, worship, and serve the LORD completely.
This account of Isaiah’s call to service, by GOD, is perhaps the classic prophetic summons of the Old Testament. Isaiah’s answer to GOD’s request of “Who shall we send?” is one of the most well-known statements of the Old Testament prophets. His utterance of “Here I am, send me” shows a courageous willingness by Isaiah to step into the unknown, armed only with faith.
However, it was this faith that would allow him to overcome the perils and rigors of this world, as he pressed on for decades, delivering GOD’s message to those, who, for the most part, weren’t even willing to listen. It prompts one to recall the Apostle John, as he wrapped up his colorful career and vivid account of JESUS’ ministry, during the final weeks of HIS divine life here on earth.
The “disciple whom JESUS loved” cited the eighth century prophet, Isaiah’s written words in Isaiah 6:10, which had resonated in his own heart and mind, down through the years of his life. There the LORD tells Isaiah, “Harden the hearts of these people. Close their ears, and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn to ME for healing” (NLT).
It was the classic statement that would seem to explain why so few Jews had responded favorably to Isaiah’s message in the eighth century B.C., the MESSIAH’s message in the first century A.D., and, it is indeed no different from the attitude of indifference and unresponsive way that we are now responding to GOD’s messengers of this, the twenty-first century. Our GOD is a Holy GOD, and in the hearts of those who love and fear HIM, HE still moves and inspires to worship and service.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, May 24, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday May 26, 2013
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Over 44,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

HOPE IN THE DAY OF THE LORD
(Living with assurance)
(2 Peter 3)

Second Peter chapter three gives us five facts, or perspectives on the second coming of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Here Peter reminds us of the “Christian Hope” that, since the first century, has served as motivation for us to live our lives, aspiring to conform more completely to the word of GOD.
In the biblical Greek, the word most often used for “earnest expectation”, or “hope for the future” is “apokaradokia”. It describes the attitude of a person who scans the horizon with their head leaning forward, as they eagerly anticipate the first signs of the coming of the glory of GOD.
For Peter and the other apostles, life was not a weary and defeated waiting, but rather, it was a throbbing and vivid expectation. The Christian has always been, is now, and, will forever be, a part of the human experience. By that I mean, from within, we must all suffer with our own “sin nature”, in the Greek, “epithumia”, which is “that battle within ourselves between reason and passion”. From without, we must all live in a world full of death and decay, and in addition, also suffer the consequences of the sins of others. However, thanks to the vicarious sacrifice of CHRIST JESUS, now, a person does not just have to live hopelessly in the world, but rather, we can now obtain the assurance of victory over the world, that can only be achieved, through our belief in HIM. And so, as believers, we become people who do not see only the world, but rather, we can look beyond this world, to GOD, at all times.
The keynote to the Christian faith must always be “hope”, and never “despair”, because the true Christian waits not for death, but rather, we wait for life. The Christian, just like Peter, Paul, and all the other early Church workers, during the height of the Christian persecutions of the first century and beyond, must always wait, in the spirit of “apokaradokia”.
First century Christians were very much in tune to the words of the ancient prophets regarding the first advent of CHRIST JESUS, and now, they had, in addition, received the wonderful promises of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, HIMSELF.
Earlier I mentioned that there are five perspectives on the “second coming of CHRIST” that are presented by Peter in this passage, specifically in verses 1-16.  

·         The first perspective is that “Believers will remember it” (vs. 1-2), and I’ve already  elaborated on this point.
·          The second perspective is that “scoffers will laugh at the idea of it” (vs. 3-7). In the “last  days”, which, in the biblical sense, are those days that GOD generously gives us to repent between the first and second coming of CHRIST, unbelievers will mock and deny JESUS CHRIST, in word, and in behavior, just as the Roman Emperor Nero mocked  Christianity in the first century with his “miming” skills in theaters around Rome.
·        The third perspective that Peter gives us is that “GOD guarantees the second coming   (vs. 8-9). GOD guarantees CHRIST’ return through the words HE gave to the ancient prophets that, in HIS OWN time, JESUS will return and set up HIS Millennial kingdom. Here in these verses, Peter quotes from Psalm 90:4, which speaks of how GOD sees time  against eternity. To GOD, a thousand years is like a day, and a day like a thousand years.  GOD, through HIS mercy and kindness, is giving us more than ample time to repent and get our lives in line with HIS purpose for us.  
·        The fourth perspective is given in how Peter describes this second advent of CHRIST (vs.10-13) as “coming unexpected as would a thief in the night”. Here Peter recalls the  description given by JESUS to him and the other disciples in Matthew 24:42-44. It is a  depiction that is also echoed by the Apostles Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:2) and John (Revelations 3:3 & 16:15) in their writings.  
·        And finally, we can see that “our behavior must be changed as we anticipate it” (vs. 14-16). We must remember that, while we are waiting on JESUS to return, GOD is also waiting on us, giving us all a chance to choose to turn our lives around, so that we can reflect HIS image more closely to others, here on earth, through our own behavior. 

And while the words and warnings of HIS prophets are sometimes hard to understand, and the twisting of those words by false teachers and preachers don’t make it any easier either, those who earnestly seek GOD, through it all, will find HIM. And those who have dedicated their lives to hindering the spread of GOD’s word, will, in the end, suffer  greatly and eternally in a place that GOD has already designated for those who forcefully  and passively, uphold the Luciferian system of this nation, and, of this world.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, May 17, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday May 19, 2013
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Over 44,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

HOPE THROUGH STEWARDSHIP
(Use your gifts to love and serve others)
(1 Peter 4:1-11)

As professed Christians, we’ve pledge to begin living our lives in a manner that is more pleasing to GOD. We desire to move away from being fascinated by wrong things, which used to have power over us, and we desire instead to indulge only in doing those things that are CHRIST-like, at all times. However, we are still being constantly surrounded by spiritual opposition from the evil forces of satan, and sometimes, when the good deeds that we’ve done go unnoticed by others, these evil forces move in and try to convince us that we made the wrong decision, by doing the right thing.
Oftentimes we may become angry after spending a lot of time doing good and thoughtful things for people, especially for our friends and family, that, we feel are obviously not appreciated by them. They either, don’t show thanks, or, they don’t voluntarily respond in kind, or even come to our aid in our times of need. However, we must adjust our attitudes when these unfortunate things occur, and we must come to rest in the fact that, these are the kinds of things that test our resolve and commitment to retaining the attitude of CHRIST, WHOM we pledge ourselves to, and promise to emulate more closely in our behavior.
In 1 Peter 1, verses 1-11, the Apostle Peter tells those of us who have chosen to follow JESUS’ example, that, we should never forget that JESUS did the ultimate wonderful good deed for us, by way of HIM sacrificing HIMSELF on the cross for our sins. It is  an act for which we have all shown HIM, from time to time, just how unappreciative we are, if in no other way, surely by way of our ungodly behavior towards each other.
Whenever a person chooses to follow CHRIST’s example and begin to live for GOD, we, in effect, are saying that we are also willing to suffer for CHRIST the same way that HE suffered for us. We are also saying that, we are willing to do so, with the same GODly attitude of which JESUS maintained, while HE suffered for us. And whenever the origin of our suffering is NOT sin, then, we are suffering for goodness sake, just as CHRIST did. We are, thereby, emulating HIS example as we promised.
Remember, CHRIST WHO was without sin, suffered, and thereby, HE did not suffer for sin that HE HIMSELF committed. HE suffered instead, for our sins that we have committed, and continue to commit, and, HE did so, not complaining, nor, even showing regret afterwards.
When we choose the Christian walk, we are pledging that we are no longer willing to spend the remainder of our lives chasing after evil desires. We are saying that we have had our fill of the evil things that GOD-less people enjoy and chase after. We are saying that we now wish to turn away from things such as sexual immorality and lust, drunkenness and wild parties, and the worship of our modern-day idols such as cars, houses, people, and all the other worldly things that we had become accustomed to chasing after. We are also saying that we are no longer willing to do foolish and unwise things, such as getting ourselves into financial debt because of envy, jealousy, and greed, wanting everything we see others with, and not showing GOD our appreciation for HIS supplying of all things that we need.
When we suffer as a result of our desires and actions to obtain the unneeded things of this world, we are not suffering for CHRIST, but rather, we are suffering for our own selfishness, which, in itself, makes us un-CHRIST-like. In fact, we can’t even find CHRIST until we come to the end of ourselves, where CHRIST stands waiting. If we are to live and thrive in the chosen community of GOD, we must first leave the community of “self”. Then, and only then, will we be able to enjoy the benefits of loving one another, serving one another, and supporting one another, as JESUS calls for us to do.
The end of all things is near, for each of us, personally. I’ve stated that in my teachings many times over the years, because, that is the warning that the Old Testament prophets, and New Testament writers and thinkers, all leave us with. Therefore, it is urgent and imperative that we be earnest in our prayers, while also, continuing to show deep love for one another, encouraging each other on a daily basis to do what is right under the watchful eye of GOD.
As human beings we sin often, but GOD, through HIS benevolence, has given us HIS deep love, which, as we know, covers a multitude of sin (v. 8). GOD has also given us many gifts and talents, and we are obligated to manage those gifts and talents wisely, manifesting GOD’s glory through them, so that GOD can continue to flow blessings through JESUS, to us, through us, to others (Vs. 10-11). There is great hope and rewards through good stewardship of the things which GOD has entrusted us with, and whenever our hands slack, we rob GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, May 10, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday May 12, 2013
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Over 44,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

EQUIPPED WITH HOPE
(Continue to grow in your faith)
(2 Peter 1)

As the Apostle Peter moved closer to his violent death, which occurred during the Christian persecutions  that were spearheaded by the Roman emperor Nero, in and around A.D. 68, he pens yet another dynamic letter to the Jewish Christians who were living in the province of Asia Minor. It deals with the anticipated problems that, Peter knew, would crop up and remain with the people, long after his departure from the evangelistic scene. Here, as in his first letter, he encourages the believers to continue on in their spiritual growth, and to always remember that the good news of CHRIST JESUS is not just a fairy tale, but rather, it is the personification of truth. He also warns them of the false teachers, who would seek to destroy the truth with the introduction of their own ideas to replace the church teachings that had been laid out by JESUS CHRIST, during HIS three-year ministry.
JESUS CHRIST will return one day to destroy the disorder that has now permeated this world. That is why we must be very careful not to become too attached to the world’s trappings. Peter calls for Christians to stand firm in the midst of the pressures from the gravitational pull of the world, which causes us to drift away from the truth.
Satan’s plan is to undo all things that GOD has done, and we who are of some age, have already seen, for many years now, just how that luciferic plan has affected, even our own nation. This letter by Peter outlines some of the trials, tribulations, persecutions, and conflicts that the Christian can expect to endure in the latter days of GOD the CREATOR’s prevailing plan for the world.
In 2 Peter 1:1-11, the apostle suggests two bases for Christian confidence. First, he suggests that salvation affords us the resources by which we are able to live GODly lifestyles. We have already been embodied with “GOD’s Nature”, which are those “communicable attributes” (life, personality, love, truth, justice, wisdom, and holiness) that make it possible for us to obey, and worship GOD. As a result of GOD’s great gift to us, we can then make every effort to use these resources, or attributes, to develop a mature Christian character over time (vs. 4-9). In other words;

·         A life of faith will produce “moral excellence”.
·         Moral excellence will lead to “knowing GOD better”.
·         Knowing GOD leads to “better self-control”.
·         Self control leads to “patient endurance”.
·         Patient endurance leads to “GODliness”.
·         GODliness leads to “love for other Christians”, and thereby,
·         We will grow to have “genuine love for everyone”.

Secondly, we give confirmation to our call and election, by GOD the FATHER, when we begin to grow in grace, and the manifestation of HIS work is seen through us and, in us (vs. 10-11). In verses 12-18, Peter turns our attention to scriptural history, as he recalls the great “Transfiguration of CHRIST” on Mount Harmon (Mark 9:1-7). It was an event that was witnessed only by himself, James, and John. Good news always bears repeating, and being reminded of what JESUS CHRIST has done for us is a benefit that we can all use.
The point that Peter makes in verses 19-21, regarding the messages of the ancient prophets, is that, those messages only served to make him even “more certain” of what they themselves had witnessed, on that mountaintop overlooking the idol gods of Caesarea Philippi that day. We, as Christians, must pay close attention to what the ancient prophets wrote, because their words can be a lamp unto our feet, and a light shining in the darkness of our human existence.
We may never be able to witness an event of the magnitude of the great “Transfiguration of CHRIST”, which served to place affirmation of JESUS’ majesty on the hearts of men, not just in that day, but rather, for all times. And we ourselves must understand that no prophesy in scripture ever came from the prophets themselves, but rather, they came from the mind and heart of GOD. And HE used the power of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, just as HE always does, to move HIS messengers to speak to our minds and hearts. I pray that the words of the Apostle Peter in this passage will touch the heart of someone new to the faith of pursuing CHRIST JESUS, WHO is the personification of virtue. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com



LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, May 3, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday May 5, 2013
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Over 44,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

A LIVING HOPE
(We can look forward to our inheritance)
(1 Peter 1:1-12)

The Apostle Peter, perhaps, wrote this inspiring letter while residing in Rome, near the end of his life. Its purpose was to lend comfort and encouragement to the Jewish Christian Diaspora, who, were living as foreigners in the various towns of Asia Minor (now northern Turkey). Here Peter focuses on “triumph through suffering for CHRIST”, and how the “Christian Hope” will serve as motivation to make our life here on earth, conform more fully to the word of GOD, as we go along on your “Christian Journey”.
Peter apparently wrote this epistle around the time of “the great persecution of the Christian Church” by the Roman emperor, Nero. Nero, who was an outstanding practitioner of the form of witchcraft called “Miming”, often used his miming talents to make light of his terrible persecutions on the Church by mocking the Christian’s sufferings, while performing in the theaters in and around Rome.
Peter and the other early church leaders banned miming in the Christian Church for obvious reasons (witchcraft is “anti-CHRIST”). Nowadays, however, because of our ever-growing desire to be entertained in worship services, many so-called Christian Churches have both “wittingly and unwittingly” re-introduced this demonic form of entertainment back into church worship services, and other church functions, simply because we fail to properly research, hardly anything anymore, before we begin to incorporate it into our programs. However, we’ll let that (miming) be another Sunday school lesson. For now, let us focus on the Hope of Eternal Life that is offered through Salvation, through JESUS CHRIST.
Peter’s first letter is rich in references to and from the Old Testament. Any Jewish Christian would find special significance in the term “Diaspora” that is translated “scattered” in the opening lines of this letter, and any Gentile reader wouldn’t help but notice Peter’s call for living a holy lifestyle, despite their background, or total ignorance to the Word of GOD. Those Gentile converts would have also been greatly encouraged by the fact that, even though they weren’t yet versed in the Word of GOD, they were immediately accepted as “GOD’s people” by the Christian Community.
In 1 Peter 1, verses 1-2, Peter lays out the theological foundation of “encouragement” to his fellow Christians who were scattered abroad. In the biblical Greek, the word used for “encourage” is “parakaleo” (par-ak-al-eh-o), and it means “to call near, and to invoke by imploring and consoling”. It also means “to be of some good to, by comforting through prayer and exhortation”.  He reminds them that GOD had long ago chosen them, and, that they had also been sanctified by the HOLY SPIRIT through the atoning blood of CHRIST JESUS. They had been touched by the “GOD-head”, the “Whole of GOD”, and set aside to do “greater things” with their lives. Here Peter shares his personal desire (v. 2c) that they be showered with an abundance of GOD’s grace and peace upon their lives.
In verses 3-5 Peter speaks of the “living hope”, or “wonderful expectation” that comes through the resurrection of CHRIST JESUS, which promises us a divine inheritance in Heaven. GOD has preserved a priceless inheritance for HIS people, which is kept “pure” and “undefiled”, and, kept out of the reach of “change” and “decay”. We are also protected by GOD’s power, here on earth, until we can receive those Heavenly benefits of this “wonderful salvation” for trusting in HIM only.
We can come to rest in the thought that this life on earth is not the final act of “the human drama”.  And even though, by choosing the Christian Walk, we are no longer permanent residents of this earth, but rather, become citizens of Heaven, it is still necessary, for now, to endure those tests and trials that are set before us. Those tests and trials are not meant to make us fail, but rather, are given to us to grow our faith and make us strong and pure, to better serve GOD’s purpose for us, in this life. To persevere through those trials and tribulations will bring much praise and glory and honor on the day when JESUS returns, and is revealed to the whole world (Vs. 6-7).
Faith, Hope, and Love are the three great enduring things, and of the three, love is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13). Our living “hope” is spun by the promise of GOD. We “love” HIM, even though we have never seen HIM. And though we do not see HIM, by “faith”, we trust in HIS Word. And even now, we can rejoice with an inexpressible joy, because our reward for trusting in HIM will result in the salvation of our souls (Vs. 8-9).
Salvation is something that every prophet since the beginning of the age wanted to know more about. They prophesied of this great salvation, through GOD’s SON, that had been prepared for mankind, even though they themselves, probably, had many questions as to what it all meant. They often wondered just what the SPIRIT of GOD in them was talking about, when HE informed them in advance, about CHRIST’s suffering here on earth, and HIS great glory, afterwards.
These great men of GOD were told all these things would not happen in their lifetimes. However, today this Good News is being preached throughout the world by those who actually embody the power of the HOLY SPIRIT on a continuous basis. And it is something so wonderful, that, even the angels are eagerly watching the events unfold in the lives of those who experience the Christian Hope, by way of a transformation of the heart, through the power of GOD’s Word (Vs. 10-12).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website