Friday, December 27, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday December 29, 2013

Over 54,000 readers worldwide
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JESUS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE
(JESUS should be the one we are looking for)
(Luke 2:25-38)

In the Apostle Paul’s, now famous, letter to the Romans, as expressed in chapter 8, verse 19 in the original Greek, the word he uses for “earnest expectations”, or “hope for the future”, is apokaradokia (a-pock-a-rah-do-KEE-ah). It is a term that describes the attitude of a man, who scans the horizon, with his head leaning forward, as he eagerly anticipates the first signs of the coming of the glory of GOD.
In biblical times every Jewish person regarded his own nation as the “chosen” people. However, most of them understood quite clearly, that, by human means, they could never aspire to the greatness which they believed their future would bring without the help of the coming MESSIAH.
In Luke chapter 2, verses 25-38, the author of GOD gives us a vivid description of two “old faithful servants” who had been waiting patiently “in the spirit of apokaradokia”. First, we see Simeon (Vs.25-35), an aging, devout, and righteous man of GOD, who was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, being led to the Temple one day by that compelling SPIRIT. The SPIRIT draws him there so that GOD could fulfill HIS promise to him that he would not die before seeing the coming MESSIAH.
In the Greek, there is a wonderful sounding word that New Testament writers use for “promise”. It is “epaggelia” (ep-ang-el-ee-ah), and it is “an announcement of divine assurance of good”. Simeon had waited a long time for this day and “his faithfully expectant heart” allowed him to recognize THE SON OF GOD when he first saw HIM.
Many a Christian has said that, “they are waiting on the coming of the MESSIAH”, but do we possess the “expectant heart” we must have in order to recognize HIM when HE finally stands before us. Simeon recognized the baby JESUS, and he took HIM into his arms and began to recite a praise hymn to GOD, that has come to be known as the “Nunc Dimittis” (Vs.29-32). It is a term which comes from the Latin “Vulgate”, and it means “Now, let depart”.
One of the great tragedies in life is that pride, social standing, and economic achievements is what most often keeps a person from first, recognizing, and then, giving reverence to the ALMIGHTY GOD. Simeon had received the fulfillment and realization of his dream, and now, he could depart from this life and die in peace.
In Luke 2, verses 35-38, we see a very similar and equally righteous account of a Prophetess named Anna. This daughter of a man named, Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, had lost her husband many years ago, after only seven years of marriage. She was now 84 years old, and had resided in the Temple, perhaps more than 60 years, worshiping GOD with fasting and prayer, day and night.
This is a lovely story, perhaps one that is unparalleled in the annals of Bible history. Anna was convinced that the best was yet to come in her life and she demonstrated it with “an unshakable hope”. It is this kind of example of the “Christian hope” that, now and throughout the history of the church, has served as motivation to make life on earth, conform more fully with the Word of GOD, just as it would later be presented to us by JESUS CHRIST, throughout HIS lifetime, here on earth.
Anna could have chosen to be bitter, after losing her husband at such a young age. But instead, she chose to come out of the darkness of her despairing past, and walk in the light of GOD’s glorious presence, and remain faithful to HIS word, throughout the remainder of her life, here on earth.
Great truths of the Bible, such as these two stories chronicled here in this Gospel account of Luke, are worth the slow, reflective kind of reading that it takes to grasp the beauty of their meaning. Great literary works, by men of GOD, often challenge our imaginations and understanding. That is why we must go back and read them over, time and time again. And let us always remember the unshakable faith of these two great “personifications of the Christian hope”, Simeon and Anna, and share the good news of the gift of Salvation, as we wait on mercy from JESUS CHRIST unto eternal life.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



    

Friday, December 20, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday December 22, 2013

Over 54,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

JESUS IS BORN
(Joy to the world)
(Luke 2:1-20)

Luke chapter two, verses 1-2, are the verses in Scripture that come closest to giving us the exact birth year of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. In Luke 2:1-7, the author of GOD writes of the 90-mile trip, of Joseph and Mary, from Nazareth to Bethlehem to honor the census decree that had been imposed by the Emperor, Caesar Augustus.
The decree was put in place for the purpose of assessing taxes, and discovering those who were liable for compulsory military service. The Jews, however, were exempt from serving in the military, so basically, the census for them was taken expressly for taxation purposes. These census’ were periodical in nature, and the count came once every 14 years. Man has in his possession, actual documentation of every Roman census taken from A.D. 20 to A.D. 270.
Luke chapter 2, verses 1-2, is the passage most reliable in actually determining the year of JESUS’ birth into this world. Here, Luke tells us that it was at the time of this census which was imposed by Caesar Augustus, that Joseph and Mary (who was quite far along in her pregnancy with baby JESUS), had to travel to Bethlehem , the home of Joseph’s ancestry, to be counted. Every person, by law, had to return to their original place of ancestry in order to register for this census count.
Luke also tells us in verse 2, that, it was during the time when Cyrenius (Quirinius) was serving as Roman governor to Syria. Roman records show that Cyrenius served in an official capacity on two separate occasions, first, from 10 B.C. to 7 B.C., and later, in A.D. 6 & 7. Roman records also show that Caesar Augustus served as Roman Emperor, from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14. What that tells us is, that, the census records that man now possesses, most likely begins with the third 14-year census count, and that, the first count must have been during Cyrenius’ first term in office (10 B.C.-7 B.C.).
We also know, from Scripture (Matthew 2:13-17), that Herod the Great, who was king over Judea at that time, issued a decree to kill all infants in and around Bethlehem, up to the age of 2, in an attempt to kill baby JESUS. Since Roman records show that Herod died in 4 B.C., we know that JESUS had already been born. And if the 14-year cycle of the census count holds true, and, in light of all the Biblical and secular facts that we have, we can, with reasonable certainty, deduce that JESUS was born in 8 B.C., during that first census count.
All of this information is something good and special for the serious Bible student to know, but the good news of the birth of CHRIST JESUS is something good and special for all men to know.
The term “Hypostatic Union” is one that can only be used in reference to CHRIST JESUS. It refers to HIS unique theanthropic personage (both divine and human in nature and quality), being 100% perfect man, as GOD originally made Adam (without sin), and, 100% GOD, as GOD the FATHER HIMSELF is.
HE served us here on earth, as 100% perfect man, to show us how we could live if we maintained a willingness to obey GOD at all times, and through HIS FATHER GOD’s mercy and grace, and HIS OWN obedience to GOD, HE died for us because HE knew we would not obey GOD. In fact, man has long ago, since the time of the Garden of Eden, convinced himself that he really can’t obey GOD completely, despite GOD sharing with us, the same spiritual attributes, or divine nature, that HE sent CHRIST to rescue us with.
However, as I said earlier, because of GOD’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace, we can now rejoice in the knowledge that there does now exist, the “Christian Hope”. It is the Hope that arises out of the New Covenant that was ushered in, and is personified by, our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, and then signed, with HIS OWN blood.
That is why no one will ever be able to go into the presence of GOD, except through JESUS. HE, alone, will forever be, the only way to the ONLY WISE SOVEREIGN GOD. We only need to repent of our sins and accept CHRIST with our mouth, and, more importantly, in our heart, as our LORD and SAVIOR.
Luke’s clear and straightforward account of JESUS’ birth, goes a long ways toward anchoring these events in history, and then, linking them to prophesy. He helps us to see that “Biblical history” is “World history”, and, that they will forever be inseparable and synonymous with each other.
The announcement of JESUS’ birth, from on High, came first to the lowly Shepherds in the fields, where they worked and kept watch over their sheep. In the first century, Shepherds were on the bottom rung of the “social” and “economic” ladder, and they were, by way of their meager lifestyles, “the most humble”.
In Luke 2:8-20, we once again get a glimpse of the “Three Great Revolutions of GOD”, and what their importance would be in the coming Christian movement. We saw it first in the writings and utterances of the Old Testament saints (i.e. 1 Samuel 2:3-8). In the New Testament we see it in Mary’s song of praise, known as the “Magnificat” (which in Latin means “My soul doeth magnify the LORD”) (Luke 1: 51-53). There it says, in effect, that GOD will use the birth, life, and ministry of CHRIST, and, Christianity, to uphold and defend the lowly and the humble.
First of all, those who truly understand Christianity know that it is designed to uphold “humbleness”, and by nature, means the death of “pride”. Secondly, Christianity is aimed at stamping out “social injustice”. Every Prophet of GOD that has come to us was a champion of the fight against social injustice. GOD is extremely interested in justice and being just. That is why we find the word “just” written in Scripture over 90 times and the word “justice” 28 times.
And thirdly, Christianity is aimed at combating prejudices based on one’s “economic status”. Money, prosperity, and material things almost always, turn a person’s heart, away from GOD. So it becomes quite clear, the appropriateness, of announcing the “good news” first to ordinary folks, rather than to the rich. 
And so, during this coming, and every Christmas season to come, let us strive to stay focused on the real reason for our celebration, and let us once again use that time to commemorate the coming of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, and, to celebrate the love, brilliance, largesse, and mercy, of the ONLY WISE GOD the FATHER, for sending to us, HIS only begotten SON, to save us from ourselves, and the wiles of satan.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander


                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website








Friday, December 13, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday December 15, 2013

Over 53,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

ZACHARIAH PROPHESIES ABOUT JOHN
(Sharing the message of salvation)
(Luke 1:57-79)

Luke chapter 1, verses 67-80, comprises the prophetic “psalm of Zechariah” that has come to be known in the Christian Church, as “The Benedictus”. The term “Benedictus”, just like the term, “Magnificat” (Mary’s song of praise), finds its origins in the “Vulgate”, the first Latin translation of the Bible that was written by Jerome in the latter half of the third century, and it is translated “blessed” in English. This passage is filled with Old Testament quotations and allusions, as Zechariah expounds to us, four great Christian ideas of theology;

1.      An exaltation of praise to GOD (v.68a)
2.      The reason that GOD should be praised (v.68b)
3.      A prophetic description of the deliverance of Israel through the coming MESSIAH
            (Vs.69-75)
4.      He foretells the ministry of his own son, John the Baptist, as the one chosen to go before the MESSIAH, and indeed, prepare the way for HIM (76-79)

This stretch of passage is clear evidence that Zechariah had finally come to understand the message of the archangel Gabriel (Luke 1:5-25), and he was now ready to proclaim that message to the entire nation of Israel. He understood that his son John would be a prophet of “the Most High GOD”, and, that he would preach the same message of “human repent” and “divine forgiveness of GOD” that would be later preached by the coming CHRIST.
As John grew, he became “very strong in human spirit”, and, he possessed “a GOD-given vitality and fortitude” that would certainly come in handy throughout his ministry. He would choose the lifestyle of the prophet Elijah and dwell in the desert until it was time for his public service to GOD and mankind to begin. And for a brief space in time, his ministry would catapult him into the highest prominence of anyone, except CHRIST, in the annals of New Testament literature. He “bore witness to the SAVIOR”, and he proclaimed HIS message of “repent”, “forgiveness” and “salvation” to the world, even before the world had heard it from the lips of CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF.
We too, as Christians, are called to proclaim and convey the message of CHRIST JESUS to the world. And besides, who else will do it, if we don’t. Zechariah’s prophetic poem praises GOD for the MESSIAH, and, for the role of his own son, John the Baptist. Our praise to GOD should be for the same reason, and, for the realization of the benefits that we receive, just by believing “the Good News” that they each delivered.
Luke has been successful in focusing our attention on “the atmosphere of hope and expectation” that GOD was beginning to create among the people of that era, and we can vividly espy, through his writings, just how they were being prepared for the first advent of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.
We, on the other hand, are called to, and must, proclaim and prepare the world for the second coming of CHRIST, and even though the world of today is much more populated, than the world of the first century, just as it did in that era, it will still take all of our hearts, and all of our minds, and all of our hands to accomplish this same divine task.
However, we can rejoice in the second coming, just as the dedicated men and women of GOD rejoiced in that day, because our position with GOD is still being elevated by way of JESUS’ restoring power of Salvation, through HIS vicarious sacrifices during HIS first advent.
Today, no man for whom CHRIST JESUS has died can be called worthless. And HE died for all mankind in general, and for all Christians in particular. HE restored our lost relationship of friendship with GOD, and enabled us to overcome, an otherwise, saddened and doomed state of existence. At one and the same time, HE also helped us to understand and become what we ought to be, which is quite simply, “a servant and child of GOD”. And now, we must go and proclaim, precisely that message.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, December 6, 2013

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday December 8, 2013

Over 53,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com


MARY’S SONG OF PRAISE
(Rejoice in what GOD is doing)
(Luke 1:46-56)

Luke 1:46-55 is a passage that, over the years, has become one of the great hymns of the universal Christian Church as a whole, and is known world-wide as the “Magnificat”. The term, Magnificat, is taken from the “Latin Vulgate”, the first Latin translation of the bible, which was written by Jerome at the end of the fourth century A.D., and it means, “My soul doth magnify the LORD”.
This song, which was first uttered by Mary, the mother of JESUS, praises GOD for HIS favor on her and her people (Vs. 51-55). Some scholars tend to doubt that a young uneducated country girl, such as Mary, could have composed such a wonderful and prophetic poem, however, common sense dictates that she, or anyone else, who was in a close personal relationship with GOD, and were fairly familiar with the Old Testament passages which are alluded to in this song, is capable of expressing these thoughts of praise that we find here.
Apparently, Mary saw herself as a part of the GODly remnant that had served her LORD with all diligence. We see in verse 47, for instance, where she calls GOD, “my SAVIOR”, shows she had a deep intimate knowledge of HIM. She also speaks of GOD’s faithfulness, power, holiness, and mercy in verses 48-50, showing that her relationship with GOD was “an experiential one”.
This timeless stretch of biblical literature, has, contained within it, four distinct parts which should be noted by every reader:

·         First, there is “great personal adoration and thanks to GOD” (Vs. 46-48). In the biblical Greek, the word “makarizo” (mak-ar-id-zo) is used in verse 46 for “blessed”, and it actually means “supremely blest”, or, “beatified”. It describes, in this passage, what it is like to be “indwelt by GOD, and thereby, fully satisfied”. Mary was completely satisfied and honored by the wonderful, and unexpected way, in which GOD chose to use her body for HIS purpose.
·         Secondly, there is “a celebration of GOD’s attributes” (Vs. 49-50). Mary celebrated GOD’s goodness and she cherished all that HE had done for her, and she also appreciated the fact that HIS mercy extended throughout all generations, for all times.
·         Thirdly, we see her “praising GOD for correcting pride, social injustice, and economic disparities” (Vs. 51-53), “GOD’s three great moral revolutions”. These moral rebellions can also be found in the make-up of Christianity itself. We see, first of all:

(a). “GOD’s revolution against pride (v.51), where Mary notes that, “GOD scatters the   proud and haughty ones” (NLT). When Christianity is practiced properly, it automatically means death to “pride”. A person cannot possibly set their life beside the life of CHRIST without, first, tearing every ounce of pride from him, or herself.

(b). “GOD’s revolution against social injustice” (v.52) “HE has taken the princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly” (NLT). When Christianity is practiced properly, it means death to “social injustice”. It puts an end to race, labels, and prestige, because what CHRIST did for one, HE intended for all. No man is favored in the eyes of GOD, but also, we can call no man worthless, or common, for whom JESUS CHRIST has died. HE died for all men in general, and all Christians, in particular.

(c). “GOD’s revolution against economic disparity” (v.53) “HE has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands” (NLT). When Christianity is practiced properly, it means death to “economic disparity and greed”. A “Christian Society” is a community of believers who dares to have too much, while others don’t even have enough. The attitude of a believer in CHRIST JESUS, is “one that desires to have more, in order that they may have more to give away”.

·         In the fourth and final part (Vs. 54-55), we see Mary “giving GOD praise for the mercy shown to Israel”.  There she cites that, “How GOD has helped HIS servant Israel! HE has not forgotten HIS promise to be merciful. HE promised our ancestors, Abraham and his children, to be merciful to them forever” (NLT).

Even at her young age we can clearly see that Mary knew for sure that her blessing and charge of giving birth to the SON of GOD was not all about her, but rather, it was about a “covenant promise” that was established with Abraham and her fore-fathers, long before she was ever thought about. 
It was William Barclay who wrote, concerning this wonderful passage of scripture, that, “There is loveliness in the Magnificat, but within that loveliness, there is also, dynamite”. And he was right. And so Mary went on to birth our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, and JESUS CHRIST birthed Christianity into the world, and Christianity birthed a revolution in civilization against pride, social injustice, and economic disparity. And now, mankind must take up that fight, and continue that revolution, throughout the world.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
 




                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website