The lesson on January 30, 2011 continued the series "From the Beginning" with part 2 of the series. The scripture reading for this lesson was the same the last one Matthew 3:1-6 KJV. The previous lesson spent time on the phrase "In those days..." to expound on what that meant from a Jewish perspective. The lesson speaks about the differences between Covenant and Dispensation theologists. When we get to the teaching in Matthew, we find it is the same message that was in the Old Testament. If Israel would turn and repent, then the New Covenant would be implemented which was promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. We learn now God has included the Gentiles with faithful Abraham to provoke Israel to jealousy. Time was taken to understand the "Kingdom" that was to be given to Israel. An analogy was made between the study of scripture through right division and the skills to solve jig saw puzzles. We also learn when Jesus started picking up the ministry of John in Matthew 11:1-7.
The lesson on January 23, 2011 continued the study "From the Beginning" with lesson number 24 in the series. The scripture reading was in Matthew 3:1-6 KJV "1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
The lesson for January 16, 2011 was on the fact that God has a plan. We learn that His plan is good and it is for our participation. In this lesson it talks about the revealed plan of God and His hidden purpose which is called "the Mystery" from Ephesians 3:9 and Colossians 1:25,26. The scripture reading was from Romans 8:28 KJV "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It is important to study the scriptures to compare what was established before the foundation of the wor
The lesson on January 9, 2011 continued the series entitled "From the Beginning" with part 23. The scripture reading for this lesson was in Romans 15:4-14 KJV "4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
The lesson on January 2, 2011 was for New Year's 2011 and it was entitled "Pursuing the Joy". The scripture reading was in Philippians 3:13,14 KJV "13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." This was an excellent lesson for the New Year because the Apostle Paul tells us how to pursue the joy in Christ.
The lesson on January 24, 2010 was given by Derek McCammon which continued the study on 2 Timothy 1:1-7 KJV. The scripture reading was in Mark 4:35-41 KJV "35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" We learned in the first lesson that God was a giver but not the spirit of fear. The Devil gives fear. There are to kinds of fear, good and bad. In Matthew 10:28 KJV we see "28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." We are to have a good reverential fear of God. Fear seperates us from God because of sin (like we learned with Adam in Genesis 3). God has told us that there will be times when we are persecuted with afflictions that cause us fear but He has given us the key to overcome those fears in Christ.
