WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday March 8, 2015

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JESUS PROMISES AN ADVOCATE

(The HOLY SPIRIT is now here to teach us)

(John 14)

In John chapter 14, JESUS continues to teach HIS disciples in private. Here HE focuses on trying to encourage them to hold fast to the belief that HE has revealed to them exactly what GOD THE FATHER is like. In the Greek, the word New Testament writers use for “promise” is “epaggello” (ep-ang-el-ee-ah), and it is “an announcement of divine assurance of good”.

John 14:1-3 is arguably the most beautifully written passage in, perhaps, the most beautifully written book, in all of Scripture. It comes in the form of a “divine promise” to those who believe in CHRIST JESUS. Here in this passage, JESUS first, encourages, and then, makes a promise to HIS followers with these divine words; “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in GOD, believe also in ME. In MY FATHER’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would tell you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto MYSELF; that where I AM, there ye may be also” (KJV).

It is a promise that is made at a time when the cumulative weight of all the previous revelations that JESUS had laid on HIS disciples had begun to set in and depress them. Remember, HE had already revealed to them that HE would go away, and, they would not be able to follow HIM (John 7:34, 8:21, 12:8 & 35, and 13:33). HE had also revealed to them that HE would die (John 12:32-33), and, that one of them would betray HIM (John 13:21). Furthermore, HE had already revealed to Peter that he would deny HIM, not once, but three times before daybreak (John 13:38). And also, that satan would be working against them (Luke 22:31-32), and, at that time, every one of them would fall away from HIM (Matthew 26:31).

And so we see it is a statement that was much needed to try and comfort and allay the fears of what was about to befall HIS disciples in the very near future. It is said that a person’s heart (thoughts) is at the center of their personality, and that, we must keep our hearts with all diligence (we must guard the way we think). Our soul’s sorrow is relieved when we trust in the Word of GOD, and CHRIST says, if you trust GOD, trust also in HIM.

“I AM the WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE” is what JESUS said to a “doubting” Thomas in John 14:6. It is the sixth of JESUS’ seven great “I AM statements” that are found in the Gospel of John. JESUS tells us plainly that if we have seen HIM, we have already seen GOD, and if we “know” HIM and “have” HIM (HIS Word) in us, we already possess “Eternal Life”.

No matter how we view our existence, in the final analysis, all we ever really seek is a better life for ourselves and our families. We absolutely never seek knowledge, just for knowledge sake, but rather, for what that knowledge can do to make our lives more worth living. Here, it is JESUS’ claim, that obedience to HIM is the only true foundation that we can securely build upon. It is HIS contention that life through HIM is the only life worth living. No one can go to the FATHER, but by JESUS, because, HE alone, is “THE WAY” to GOD. In HIM, we see exactly what GOD is like. And only HE can usher us, into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without guilt, and, without shame.

Anyone who believes in CHRIST JESUS will desire to do the same works that HIS earthly ministry demonstrates to us that HE did. But JESUS says that we can do even greater works than HE did, and this is simply because many of us will have much more time on this earth than HE had to do them. In addition, we are able to ask GOD for anything within HIS Will, and, in the name of JESUS, and HE will grant it, because all of JESUS’ work during HIS earthly ministry, brought glory to HIS FATHER in Heaven (Vs. 12-14). And if we do the work of CHRIST JESUS, we too, will bring glory the SAME, our FATHER, WHO art in Heaven.

John 14:15-31 is the conclusion of JESUS’, now famous, “Upper Room Discourse” to HIS disciples. Up until this point, very little had been mentioned, regarding the HOLY SPIRIT. In the New Testament Greek, the word used for “Comforter” is “Parakletos” (Par-ak-lay-tos), and it is “an Intercessor”, or “a Counselor”. “Comforter” is the word translated here and used by JESUS to describe the function of the HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM HE would send soon after HIS ascension back into Heaven. This COMFORTER would stand as a force against man’s own “sin nature” that he had long ago accepted from satan, and would lead him back into all truth, and once again put him in touch with “the nature of GOD” that he was born with. HE would also be a force that unbelievers would not be able to see or receive into their lives. Only those, who, first, receive CHRIST, will ever be able to partake in this wonderful gift from GOD the FATHER.

And while the SPIRIT of GOD was now dwelling “with the disciples” in the person of CHRIST JESUS, HE would later come to “indwell” them and anyone who chose to follow JESUS through the cross. This type of reaction on people by the HOLY SPIRIT would be different from the way HE came upon people and inspired them in the Old Testament times. In those days, the HOLY SPIRIT would come upon people for a period, and then would leave them. But, in this time that JESUS spoke of now, the time of the first “Pentecost”, would be a time when the HOLY SPIRIT would come to dwell in the Christian Believer forever.

The HOLY SPIRIT is intended to actually fulfill the role of JESUS HIMSELF, in the lives of those, who believe on HIM. It was JESUS’ way of not abandoning us like orphans, and leaving us at the mercy of satan and his demons here on earth, who, of course, have no mercy. That is why, the way we treat the HOLY SPIRIT, is the way we treat CHRIST JESUS. When we accept JESUS into our lives, our bodies become the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT, and since the HOLY SPIRIT wrote the Word of GOD, the way we treat GOD’s Word (the Bible) is the way we treat GOD in HIS fullness.

Our love of GOD is shown by our willingness to obey CHRIST through the prompting of the HOLY SPIRIT, which seeks to guide us into all righteousness. GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT are indeed ONE and inseparable. JESUS left us with a peace of mind and heart that cannot be found in the world. And we can now come to rest in the thought, that this life is by no means, the final act of the human drama.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday March 1, 2015

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THE LAMB OF GOD

(Telling others about JESUS)

(John 1)

In John chapter 1, verses 1-14, the Apostle John seeks to put the Word of GOD into perspective, and to show us the true power of its meaning, and, its effect upon the world. Here John reminds us that the “Word of GOD” is already here, and in fact, has been with us since the beginning of time, and it simply cannot be, nor, will not be disregarded. We cannot ignore GOD’s Word and get away with it. It has always been, is now, and will forever be synonymous with life. It is effective and penetrating, and it absolutely scrutinizes all of our thoughts, desires, and intentions.

In the biblical Greek, the term used for “word” is “logos” (log-os), and it, more or less, emphasizes the message of that which is spoken. Here John expresses to us that our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST personifies the Word of GOD, in the flesh. He is trying to get us to understand that one of the key reasons for JESUS’ “first advent” was and is, for “communication”. JESUS is the “Spoken Word”, and “Living Expression” of all which GOD ever sought to communicate to us about HIMSELF. John is saying, particularly in verse 1, that, JESUS is both, “identical to” the GOD of the Old Testament concept, and yet, is “distinct from” HIM.

One can imagine how stunning this must have been to the people of the first century. Even today, many people have a problem with embracing this concept, which has now become familiar, and yet still remains just as mysterious as it ever was. Here though, we can see that, while the concept may be difficult, John’s teaching seems to be very clear. He is saying that JESUS existed eternally with GOD the FATHER, as one GOD, yet, with a distinct and separate personality. Those of us, who understand the concept which unity in a family and marriage represents, can certainly grasp the concept of “unity as one” between the FATHER and the SON.

In John chapter 1, verses 6-34, the Apostle John writes of the fulfilling of the role of the “witness”, John the Baptist, that had first been prophesied by Isaiah some 700 years earlier (Isaiah 40:3), and then again by the prophet Malachi 300 years later (Malachi 3:1). John the Baptist was born to be the “forerunner” for JESUS’ ministry, and he fulfilled his mission well. He came to announce the coming of the “bearer” of the gift of Salvation.

It is true that in human society, if someone hands someone else a gift, and that person doesn’t perceive that gift to be real, then they probably aren’t going to reach out and accept it. Our believing in GOD, in all of HIS fullness, can be likened to that. GOD is giving us the gift of eternal life through HIS only begotten SON, JESUS the CHRIST. Believing in HIM involves seeing HIM as real, and, as coming from GOD, and then, reaching out and accepting HIM. By accepting JESUS, one also accepts GOD the FATHER’s wonderful gift of eternal life in Heaven, and, at one and the same time, becomes what they weren’t before, and that is, quite simply, “a child of GOD”.

JESUS came into the world to teach us how to live our lives perfectly under GOD, and, to teach us how to die and live again with GOD. HE taught us how to give and forgive, and, HE taught us how to love, and how to give thanks. John points to JESUS as being the LIGHT of the world, a true light for all people. In HIM we see exactly what GOD is like, and only HE can usher us into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without guilt, and, without shame.

The initial contact that JESUS made with men who would later become HIS disciples was made when John the Baptist pointed CHRIST out to two of his own disciples by saying, “Behold the LAMB of GOD”. The two men curiously followed after JESUS, and when the MESSIAH looked around and saw them, HE asked them what it was that they wanted. The two men requested to know where it was that JESUS was staying, and JESUS invited them to come and see.

It was about four o’clock in the afternoon, and they went with JESUS and abided with him for the remainder of the day. One of these men was named Andrew, and he was the brother of Simon Peter. After spending the afternoon with JESUS, the first thing Andrew thought about doing was bringing his brother Peter on board, by giving him the good news about CHRIST. He runs and tells his brother that he has found the long-awaited MESSIAH, and he then takes him back to meet JESUS.

Those three men were the first to get to know JESUS in the literal sense. Today we get to know JESUS through HIS written word, and by associating with HIS people, or those who genuinely believe on HIM. The word, “know”, in John 1:31 means to “recognize”. John the Baptist knew JESUS spiritually, (He saw the doves descend on JESUS and remain with HIM) and because of that, he recognized JESUS was without sin. That is why John initially refused to Baptize JESUS (Matthew 3:14). It was because John’s baptism was for sinners, and he knew JESUS, WHO was without sin, had no reason for repent, and thereby, had no need for his baptism. He probably felt that, to baptize the MESSIAH, at best, would be an insult, and at worse, would be blasphemous.

The next day JESUS decided to go to Galilee, where HE found Philip and invited him to be HIS disciple. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. Now the first thing Philip does, is, go and find Nathanael, who was an honest man, to tell him the good news about CHRIST. After learning that JESUS was from Nazareth, a curious Nathanael asks, “Can anything good come from there?”

After coming face to face with JESUS, JESUS shows Nathanael a bit of HIS supernatural knowledge by telling him of HIS knowledge of Nathanael’s character and reputation of being an honest man. JESUS also discloses to him that HE had already seen him “underneath a fig tree”, an expression that often meant “in a place of safety and leisure”.

Impressed by JESUS’ knowledge of him, Nathanael was prompted to confess JESUS as both the “SON of GOD” and the “KING of Israel”. Throughout Scripture, JESUS refers to HIMSELF as the “SON of Man” more than 80 times, and in this particular passage, we are presented with one such occasion. It is a term that speaks of HIS humanity and suffering, and, of HIS work as the ideal man. In other words, HE sought to convey to us that HE had come to be a living, human example of what the life of every man, who wishes to worship GOD in Spirit, and in Truth, should be like.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday February 22, 2015

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CLOTHED AND READY

(Getting ready for the spiritual battle)

(Ephesians 6:10-20)

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the Apostle Paul closes out his letter to the Ephesians with a remarkably creative summary of his overall message for them. Here he paints a vivid picture of the spiritual resources one would have to clothe himself, or herself in, if, he or she  is to do battle with the unseen spiritual world of evil, that dictates to our “sin nature”, and manifests its negative results in our physical lives.

As human beings, we are waging the fight of our lives on a daily basis, against strife, sickness and death, and our opponent is not one who is visible to our physical eyes. And while certainly we can feel this unseen assault on our bodies, sadly, we continue to fight a losing battle, because we fail to recognize that our problems are, at their root, really spiritual, and not physical.

In order to wage a successful battle we must first realize that the enemy is not other people, but rather, it is satan himself. And if we are going to fight against this enemy, and win, we must first turn our battles over to GOD, by accepting CHRIST JESUS as our LORD and SAVIOR, in earnest. The battle with satan is a battle for our souls (the eternal part of mankind), and in order to overcome him, we must put on “the full armor of GOD”.

In order to beat us, satan uses such weapons as “pride”, “lust”, “other people”, and “doubt”. If we are to make a successful stand against him, we must incorporate “truth”, “righteousness”, “peace”, “faith”, “salvation”, and “the Word of GOD”. In short, we must don the full armor of GOD daily. We cannot use carnal weapons and expect to defeat the “evil one” in our own natural strength. But by clothing ourselves with the full armor of GOD, we become more than conquerors through our strength in CHRIST JESUS.

When we equip ourselves with all that GOD provides us with, we are well able to win the spiritual battles that we will inevitably have to wage every single day of our lives here on earth, not just as human beings, but even more so as Christians. Paul’s colorful description of “the battle attire of GOD”, is cleverly likened to the panoply of a Roman soldier, because he wants to ensure that the people understand exactly what they are up against, and how GOD has already provided the resources needed to overcome such a formidable foe.

Warren Wiersbe once wrote, “Sooner or later every believer discovers that the Christian life is a battleground, not a playground, and that he faces an enemy who is much stronger than he is, apart from GOD”.

As Christians, and, as human beings, we face, on a daily basis, three weapons, that are perpetually exploited by satan:

·         First, there is “the world”, which refers to the systematic opposition to GOD that surrounds us everywhere we go, and is indeed, “the anti-CHRIST influence”.

·         Then there is “the flesh” which is controlled by our own “sin nature” which we inherited from Adam’s disobedience to GOD, and, that is opposed to GOD, and can naturally do nothing to please GOD in any way.

·         And then finally, there is the “evil spirit”, the devil himself, who gets into us and manipulates our thoughts, and thus dictates our actions and deeds, causing us to make all sorts of ungodly decisions in life.

We should be eternally thankful to JESUS for salvation through HIS overcoming of “the world”, “the flesh”, and “the evil spirit” of satan. Thanks to HIM, we do not have to fight for victory, because the victory is already won. Now, we only have to fight from “the victorious standpoint” that CHRIST JESUS has given us. And the HOLY SPIRIT enables us, by faith, to appropriate HIS victory for ourselves, when we choose to fight and pray in GOD’s army, and, in the name of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD and DELIVERER.

In Paul’s closing words to the Ephesians he lets them know that he is sending Tychicus, his beloved brother in CHRIST, to encourage them, and, to let them know how he was getting along while he is incarcerated there in Rome. In his final words we find a blessing being called down from GOD, by Paul, upon the people at the Church in Ephesus. Here Paul calls for the “peace of GOD” (man’s highest good), the “love of GOD” (the complete resting of “faith” in CHRIST), and, the all-important “grace of GOD”, which sustains us all, as HE longs for us to abide with HIM, forever.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

IN MEMORY OF CHARLESTINE ANGELA JONES

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday February 15, 2015

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SERVING THE LEAST

(Reacting positively to human need)

(Matthew 25:31-46)

In Matthew 25, as JESUS concluded HIS, now famous, “Mount Olive Discourse” from the slopes of Mount Olive, HE gives us the answers that we need in order to pass “the test of life” that GOD has set before us. Here the TEACHER, JESUS, gives us the criterion by which HE will grade all humankind upon HIS second coming, when “the school of life” as we know it here on earth, is over.

Here JESUS is speaking of a time immediately following the final tribulations of man that were foretold by the prophet Daniel during the Babylonian conquest (Daniel 7:25, 9:27, 12:7), and then later, by the Apostle John through his visions from CHRIST JESUS on the island of Patmos (Revelations 11:2-3, 12:14, 13:5). This final tribulation period is to last for seven years just prior to what we’ve come to know as “The Rapture”.

JESUS tells us that HE will be accompanied by a host of angels, and will be seated on HIS glorious throne because HE plans to stay for a while, 1000 years to be exact. It is from there, that HE will exercise HIS GOD-given authority to judge all mankind, and HE will do so, strictly according to “how we reacted to human need” in our lifetime. If we reacted positively, we passed the test of life, but if we reacted negatively, and did not show love and concern for our fellowman, we’ve failed the test, and thereby, cannot pass into eternal life in Heaven, nor, for that matter, not even into the earthly “Millennial Kingdom” which CHRIST will set up immediately following HIS final judgment.

During this millennial period (1000 years), CHRIST JESUS will reign over a restored earth where there will be no satanic influence, because satan will be locked away for the duration. The prophet Ezekiel tells us that GOD will, quite literally, take away the remaining sin nature, or desire to sin, from those who are still seeking GOD in the end (Ezekiel 36:25-33). Therefore, there will be no sin in the Millennial Kingdom, and thereby, there can be no sickness and death. Everyone who enters into the Millennial Kingdom on day one, will still be a member at the end of the thousand year period, because where there is no sin, there can be no sickness and death.  

In this passage JESUS makes it pretty clear that anyone who hasn’t accepted HIS salvation offer by the time HE returns (the goats) will be sent away into eternal damnation and punishment. Only those individuals who have already accepted CHRIST before HE returns (the sheep) will be allowed to enter into, and share in HIS Millennial Kingdom. One must have already taken on the attitude of treating everyone as if they were dealing with CHRIST HIMSELF, personally. They must actually practice this behavior in this life, right now, here on earth.

What stands out in this passage is that no sin, in particular, is mentioned, as a part of the criterion that JESUS will use for judging us. The reason being is that, all the sins of man, past, present, and future, have already been covered by the blood of JESUS when HE died on the cross at Golgotha. JESUS is telling us that we will be judged according to our reaction to human need, and that salvation is granted only to those who believe that HE died and took the mandatory death penalty for sins off the table. Since that time all those who accept HIM as their LORD and SAVIOR will be saved from eternal damnation.

However, our faith in GOD has to rise to the level of “Saving Faith” before we can be motivated to act out that faith in a way that is pleasing to GOD. Real saving faith manifests itself through GODly deeds and behavior that actually show GOD our love for HIM and our fellowman. And when GOD looks into our hearts and sees HIMSELF, HE then sends us to JESUS. That is what JESUS means when HE says, “No man can come to ME unless the FATHER draws them” (John 6:43-45). As Christians, we must be able to show the world, through our behavior, that Christianity really does produce the best men and women. And then, because of the desire we have shown to do the Word of GOD, JESUS, in the last day, will raise us up from the dead.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday February 8, 2015

Over 72,000 readers worldwide

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SERVING NEIGHBORS, SERVING GOD

(Love your neighbor)

(Luke 10:25-34)

In Luke 10:25-29, one of the teachers of religious law, probably a Pharisee, stood up and posed this question to JESUS “What must I do to receive eternal life”. Ironically JESUS gave the same answer that HE had given to the religious teacher who had asked “Which is the most important commandment?” in both Matthew (Matthew 22:34-40) and Mark’s Gospels (Mark 12:28-34).

There (in Matthew and Mark) JESUS began by reciting the opening line, of the first part of the three-part “Shema”, which was recited by devout Jews twice daily. It stresses the unity of GOD, and, the importance of loving HIM and HIS Laws, and it goes like this; “Hear old Israel; the LORD our GOD is one LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Then JESUS says that we must “love the LORD THY GOD with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength”. This kind of love calls for a thorough commitment to GOD that is both personal, and, whole of heart. In fact, it speaks to the whole of humanity, which is as follows;

·         “The heart”, which is the center of human life,

·         “The soul”, which is the “self-conscience” life of all men,

·         “The mind”, which is the entire thought process of man, and

·         “The strength”, which is the entire physical power of man.

In other words, we should love GOD with every fiber of our being, and it is no accident that this is also what is covered in the first four commandments (see Exodus 20:3-11), where GOD tells us, in effect, that our love for HIM must be;

·         Totally loyal (verse 3),

·         Totally faithful (verse 6),

·         Totally trusting (verse 7),

·         And, we must show total reverence for HIM at all times (verse 8).

Next, JESUS states that we should “love our neighbor as we love ourselves”. It is not a coincidence that his is the summation of the remaining six commandments (Exodus 20:12-17);

·         If we love each other, we can certainly begin with honoring our own parents.

·         If we love each other, we are not likely to intentionally, or maliciously take another’s life, which by the way, is made in the image of GOD.

·         If we love each other, we will not commit adultery against our spouse with another person.

·         If we love each other, we won’t steal from each other.

·         If we love each other, we won’t lie on each other, or falsely accuse each other.

·         And finally, if we love each other, we won’t jealously desire anything that belongs to someone else.

And so, here in this passage JESUS is saying that everything GOD commands us to do is of the utmost importance to HIM, and that, the Ten Commandments can really be viewed as being only two. And both of them, or all ten of them, are of equal importance to GOD. And JESUS concludes by saying, “If we do them, we will live” eternally with GOD in Heaven. When we come to love GOD, we then understand more clearly how we can also, “love our neighbor” as we love ourselves. In verse 29, the religious teacher sought to justify himself by posing yet another question to JESUS, asking HIM, “Who is my neighbor?”

In verses 30-37, JESUS gives us a clear example of how we can serve GOD by serving our neighbor, as HE relates the, now famous, story of “the good Samaritan”. Here JESUS defines “neighbor” in a very rigorous, all-inclusive way, as being “anybody who is in need”, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin.

JESUS’ answer to the religious teacher’s second question has to be viewed on two different levels if we are to grasp the totality of HIS message. First of all JESUS HIMSELF tells us that when HE returns to judge the peoples’ of the world, HE will base HIS decision on how each individual “reacted to human need” over the span of his or her lifetime (Matthew 25:31-46).

Secondly, it must be viewed in the context of HIS OWN rejection by Israel here on earth. Likewise, in this parable, the Jewish religious leaders rejected the man who had fell victim to bandits along the perilous Jericho road, and needed their help after being robbed. When JESUS lived here on earth, the Jewish people, particularly the religious leaders, became the worst of HIS rejecters by announcing HIM as being not from GOD.

In the parable of the good Samaritan, only the despised, mixed-race Samaritan stopped to render aid to the fallen man of Jewish descent, and out of the three who came upon the man’s injured body (two of them were men of the Church), only the outcast Samaritan was willing to stop and help keep the man from perishing by the wayside. In fact, not only did the man render aid to fallen Jewish man by soothing his wounds with medicine and bandages, he also loaded him up on his donkey and took him to a place of shelter in a nearby inn, where he administered further medical assistance to him. And furthermore, the next day, the Samaritan gave the innkeeper two pieces of silver and instructed him to take care of the man, and also told HIM, that, if he needed more money, he would square up him the next time he passed through.

After JESUS finished relating this parable HE asked the religious teacher which of the three men who encountered the wounded victim on the Jericho road acted as a good neighbor to him. The religious teacher wisely replied in the only way he could, by answering, “The one who showed him mercy”. Then JESUS replied to the teacher, “Yes, now go and do the same”.  

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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