Intro: Can we name some heroes of the Bible? (Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Esther, Gideon, Mary, Peter, Paul) Would you describe them as courageous in trusting God?
Many of those in the Bible seem larger than life, but they were also real people just like you and me. Did you know that some of them felt discouraged at times? In today’s lesson we’re going to discuss Bible men and women that faced difficulties and discouragement, and how they got through it with God’s help.
Being discouraged is defined as “having lost confidence or enthusiasm, disheartened.” Have you ever felt discouraged? Do you ever struggle or feel frustrated? Have you ever worried that you couldn’t accomplish something?
In 1 Kings starting in chapter 16, the story begins: Ahab became king of Israel about a hundred years after King David. However he was not a good king. He and his foreign wife Jezebel led Israel to serve the false god Baal. God sent his prophet Elijah to say there would be no rain so the land dried up and there was a famine. King Ahab was looking everywhere for Elijah but God kept him safe. Then God sent Elijah to challenge the prophets of Baal, and God sent fire from heaven to demonstrate his power. But this made Jezebel even more angry.
Read 1 Kings 19: 3-9, 14-21
God was speaking through Elijah, taking care of him and working miracles including fire coming from heaven. Even so, Elijah still became scared, worn out and discouraged. He thought he was the only one left who loved God. God helped restore him physically with the angels' help, encouraged him that he wasn’t the only one left, and gave him a helper Elisha. So Elijah continued to be God’s prophet to speak and perform miracles until God took him to heaven with a chariot of fire and whirlwind.
Do you ever face challenges to your faith in God? Do you feel left out because you are a Christian?
Challenges may lead us to feel discouraged. We can ask for help from our friends and family and God. If we pray and read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will guide us in learning to trust in God and our faith will grow stronger.
with 'Ron/Rhonda Reacher' and 'Don/Donna Doubter' and God's voice from above. 'Narrator' Bible verses can be read by multiple people. Slides add emphasis.
Narrator: Ron Reacher can see that his friend Don Doubter is upset. Don has a lot of questions.
Ron Reacher: Don, I know you've been going through some tough times lately. I wanted to tell you I'm here for you.
Don Doubter: Ron, why did this happen? I just don't get it.
Ron: I don't know why, but I know God has a plan for you. He loves you.
Don: How can I believe in God at a time like this? Am I supposed to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, loving Creator God?
Ron: Why don't you ask Him?
Don: Okay, God, if you're even there, why don't you show your 'holy glory' with a sign from heaven?
God (echoing voice from offstage): I did. (Slide 1 Fire on Mt Sinai)
Narrator: 'There was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.' (from Exodus 19:16-18)
Ron: God showed his holy power many times in many different ways.
Don: I get it, God is powerful. But, God who are you really?
Narrator: The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. They speak without a sound, yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. (From Psalms 19)
Ron: You see Don, the majesty of the heavens, the beauty of the Earth, the details in a butterfly wing, even the information coded in DNA all point to an incredibly ingenious, intelligent Creator.
Don: Huh, Guess that makes sense. But God, how do we know what you want us to do?
Narrator: 'Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples.' (Exodus 19:5) And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children.' (Deuteronomy 6: 5-7a)
Don: That all sounds great on paper, but what about real-life? How can we know what to do?
Narrator: 'Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. (Jeremiah 31: 31a, 33a) The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.' (John 14:26)
Ron: When we invite him in, the Holy Spirit will guide us.
Don: But why me? Why do bad things happen to me?
God: My ways are higher than your ways. (from Isaiah 55:9) (Slide 5 Perseverance)
Narrator: 'When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.' (James 1: 2-3)
Don: Okay, so God the Father is teaching me something. But why does it matter if we're just going to die anyway?
God: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) (Slide 6 Resurrection)
Narrator: 'Christ died for our sins...He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said...Our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory.' (1 Corinthians 15:3b,4,53,54)
Ron: When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, he promises us eternal life with him.
Don: But how can I have hope for the future when things just get worse and worse?
God: 'For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11) (Slide 7 Second Coming)
Narrator: 'And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens...And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.' (Matthew 24: 6,30)
Don: So,God, if you are so powerful and loving, why don't you do something now about all the pain and suffering in the world?
During my Tuesday Bible study meeting, the subject came up of the non-Biblical gospels, other later writings about Jesus. Coincidentally I had been listening to apologist podcasts about this topic. I felt compelled to share this information so that people will be careful/skeptical of non-Bible Jesus writings. Books like Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' have confused many by giving equal credibility to the so-called Gospels of Thomas as to that of Mark and John.
I am certainly no expert, or scholar, just an interested party. The renowned apologist J. Warner Wallace, author of 'Cold Case Christianity' doubts the reliability/authenticity of extraneous Jesus writings. Here are the links for the article and interview. A Thorough Guide to the Non-Canonical Gospels https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/a-thorough-guide-to-the-non-canonical-gospels/
What Should We Make of the Non-Canonical Gospels? (Podcast) https://coldcasechristianity.com/podcasts/what-should-we-make-of-the-non-canonical-gospels-podcast/
As I understand it, the other gospels were written too late to be eye-witness reports, and falsely attributed to Jesus' apostles, and that they sometimes twist the truth to meet their own agenda (such as promoting Gnosticism). Apparently the non-canonical gospels do have some basis in truth -- supporting Jesus existence, ministry, and impact on the world.
So on the other hand, what makes the traditional gospels special so that they were included in the Bible? How can we say that they are true accounts? J. Warner Wallace wrote the book 'Cold Case Christianity' that tells the story of how he as an atheist sought to answer these questions. This article summarizes his views:
Biblical Reliability Is the Bible True? The Cumulative Case for the Reliability of the Gospels (Downloadable Bible Insert) https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-bible-true-the-cumulative-case-for-the-reliability-of-the-gospels-free-bible-insert/
To find out more, please check out J.Warner Wallace and other apologist such as Lee Strobel and C.S.Lewis.
I wanted to do a follow-up to the last blog. I've continued to reflect on confirming that you are a Christ follower and bound for heaven. In Jesus' warnings two main points are emphasized. First, we must be ready for his return. Don't put off the prompts of the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean we withdraw from everyday life and retreat to a mountain. Instead we should be busy at the Father's work (loving one another) so he finds us thus on that glorious day. Secondly, we are not to be hypocrites. Hypocrites put on different acts depending on the circumstances. They appear to be good but their hearts are selfish. Instead we must be true to our identity as Christians, living in the light of his grace and acting as Christ commanded.
In Revelation we find out how God will separate non-Christians from Christians:
Relation 20:12-13, 15 & 21:6-8 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done...Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire....He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the
unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who
practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
In Dr. Michael Youssef's radio message titled 'The Inner Working of the Heavenly Courts' he concluded his message with this idea:
"If the coming judgement creates a dread in your life; if every time the thought of the coming judgement causes you discomfort in your heart, chances are you have not submitted to the only one who can save you on the day of judgement and you can do that today. You can submit to him today. You can invite him into your life today. You can accept his seeking after you today. For those of us who love the Lord Jesus, those of us who have surrendered to him, those of us who adore him, his return is not a day of dread for us, it is a great day of rejoicing. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a day that scares us and frightens us. It's a day of jubilation. We can't wait til he comes back. The day of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be a day of celebration for all who've put their trust in Jesus."
I listen to Dr. Michael Youssef every morning as I drive to work in his podcast for Leading the Way Ministries. I highly recommend listening to the whole message at Oneplace.com or Ltw.org.
Okay, now that we've reviewed the warnings, it's time for the fun part. We get to bask in all the promises and reassurances of God's love and our salvation! Remember Jesus told us not to be anxious for anything and God's messages usually started with 'Fear Not.' God does not want us to be unsure or fearful about eternity. He gave His followers promises and affirmations throughout the Bible. Here are some of my favorites:
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 10:27-30 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Romans 8:1-4 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:14-17 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:34-39 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Soon and very soon, We are going to see the King, Hallelujah, hallelujah, We are going to see the King!
Author's note: It has been awhile; it's been a challenging year, but I feel called to revisit this topic. I certainly have touched on it before, but I wanted to focus on Jesus' warnings/admonitions related to being saved and a Christ follower (which are the same thing). I'll attempt to organize the related topics for clarity and simplicity, praying that this post will bless all who read it.
Saved from what?
Revelations does a great job of explaining what we have to look forward to as punishment for our sin. In Revelations 20:7-15, John relates from the Holy Spirit that everyone will stand before the throne and the books to be judged based on his life; 'The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone who's name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.' The lake of fire is of 'burning sulfur' where there will be endless torment.
Believe in Jesus
Like I touched on in a previous post, some may think that being 'saved' is like grabbing a ticket to heaven, an eternal insurance policy that you sign up for. That you don't need to do anything else, just wait to fly to heaven someday. Is this true? Yes and no. Paul simply advises to 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.' Acts 16:31. Digging back into the old testament, 'Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness' Genesis 15:6. It does appear simple and easy. Another verse supports this idea, starting at Ephesians 2:8-9..."For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." By saying that salvation is a gift, Paul means that we cannot earn it, there is nothing we can give in exchange for our salvation. We just accept it.
But Paul doesn't stop there... "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" Eph 2:10.
Christ himself warned, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Not so easy after all to find the small gate and narrow road.
Matt 7:13-14 Furthermore: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (Matthew 7:21-23)
So clearly there's more to it then just checking the box marked 'Christian' and believing in Jesus. Jesus warns over and over against hypocrisy. Clearly there should be a life change. There needs to be a difference in our hearts, minds, and actions. We'll dig into this more. But remember, the change comes as a result of Jesus' love, grace, mercy and salvation, not the precursor! It's only by giving over control to God that we can have hope of living like Jesus. The Bible gives several good warnings and indications to help us know if we are sheep or goats.
Don't get caught just going through the motions. Don't let your heart be hardened. (Starting Isaiah 1:13) God warns 'Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies...I hide my eyes from you;even when you offer many prayers,I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.' We need to be truly humble and repentant. Don't just look like a Christian, but have a changed heart--
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heartyou, God, will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)
Matt 23:27-28 Jesus admonishes, 'Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outsidebut on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Matthew 6:1 "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Clearly a superficial change is not enough, but something deeper.
Jesus' Commands
Jesus gives some other very clear warnings. We are to forgive, love, and tell others about Jesus.
Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matthew 10:32-33 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."
Maturing in Christ
Paul explains how we should grow in Christ following our conversion, see Ephesians 4. In vs 22-24 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;to be made new in the attitude of your minds;and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Continuing in vs 31-32 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
James admonishes--
"You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." James 2:2-24
Remain in the Vine
Let's conclude by meditating on Jesus' commands and promises for his followers.
John 15: 1-17
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.If
you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and
withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.You are my friends if you do what I command.I
no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his
master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything
that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.This is my command: Love each other."
The past few days we have examined purpose and meaning for life. We found (from Rick Warren) that life is a test, a trust and a temporary assignment. We know that God allows both difficulties and blessings in our life to build and reveal character. We know that our time on earth is brief compared to eternity. We seek treasure in heaven that will last. Our goal is to hear 'Well done! Good and faithful servant! You have used the talents and resources I loaned you well for my glory, so I will entrust you with more! Come join the party!"
This answers the question of how we should approach our lives. But why did God make us? How do we bring him glory? Let's review some great verses that help us understand our purpose.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1: 16)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28: 19)
For I
was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave
me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me....Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25: 34-36, 40)
Jesus Prays for All Believers--“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)
Let's return to Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. He summarizes how we fulfill our purpose to bring glory to God by--worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. You can explore each topic in his book or at his website: www.purposedriven.com
So we are to love God, find our purpose in bringing him glory, love Christians, help the needy, grow God's kingdom by teaching others of God's love and be unified as the body of Christ.
Jesus continues his prayer for believers. Take heart...
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.
Last time we asked if God's tests for us are pass/fail or graded tests. I believe the answer is both. The first test is definitely pass/fail. It is the choice of whether or not to believe in and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. There's no halfway option. But that is just the beginning. After becoming a Christian and inviting God into our hearts, we will face additional tests and trials, perhaps more than we did before we were believers! These tests may not be pass/fail, but instead designed to strengthen our faith and endurance through time.
God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13b)
Trusting God in the Good Times
Are God's tests only in the trials and hard times? Certainly he wants to see if we turn to God then, but what about when things are going well-- could that also be a test from God? What if we receive that promotion or good doctor's test results. What if we have a bit extra after the bills are paid and our children are succeeding. We turned to God in the foxhole, but now that we are home safe, do we still need God? This is when God's tests are a trust. He blesses us and watches to see what we will do. It's easy to become proud and believe we are strong on our own without trusting God. We must not forget that all blessings are from God and be thankful every day. We should continue to give God the glory and remember that he is entrusting us as stewards of the wealth and talents we have. We must use them wisely.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
A Temporary Assignment
Remember Rick Warren said that life is also a temporary assignment. It really helps put things in perspective when we know that we were not designed to live in this fallen world, but for eternal glory with God! We are merely visitors for a short while. Then we can see how ephemeral worldly things are and strive instead for what really matters, what lasts for eternity--God's approval! So let us strive for the best grade and share in eternal glory.
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been
faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21)
