Lesson 742

(Lesson 742)(08-31-13) Today's lesson comes from the first six verses of Matthew 3, and deals with the appearance of John the Baptist;

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 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. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."

The coming of John the Baptist was prophesied in the old testament, then fulfilled. Just as was the coming of Jesus.

John's mission was to "prepare the way of the Lord". His message was, "the kingdom of heaven is at hand".

That is the same message Jesus preached, Matt. 4:17, it is also the same message Jesus instructed His disciples to preach, Matt. 10:7.

John the Baptist (baptizer), was also to perform ritual water baptism as it was required of all Jews who were entering into a religious circumstance.

According to Maimonides, a well respected authority on ancient Jewish law and tradition, no Jew could enter enter the temple, or a tabernacle, without first being fully immersed in pure running water to rid themselves of unclean things.~

Lesson 741

(Lesson 741)(08-30-13) We continue our lessons beginning at verse thirteen of Matthew 2, continue through the end of that chapter;

"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."

This lesson details how Joseph, Mary, and Jesus avoided the wrath of Herod by going into Egypt per God's instructions to Joseph.

Herod, the Jewish king, feared Jesus because he was afraid Jesus would take over his throne. That fear led to the slaughter of hundreds, or maybe thousands, of *babies in Bethlehem. The Jewish priesthood feared Jesus because they knew, that if in fact, Jesus was the Messiah, He would expose them for the hypocrites they truly were, destroying their cushy lives.

This lesson fulfills several of the prophecies concerning the coming of our savior, the Messiah.

Again, in order to fully understand this lesson, as well as all the others in the New Testament. Those who sincerely wish to understand why, and how, God dealt with the ancient Jews (His chosen people) the way He did, as well as those who might seek His presence today, the serious bible student needs to begin at Genesis 1, and read (study) through the final "amen" in the book of Revelation. This study needs to be prayerfully done with the Holy Spirit of God as guide.

*Archaeologists have recently unearthed the bones of hundreds of babies that were together buried in mass graves about the time when Herod was the king of Judea.

Lesson 740

(Lesson 740)(08-29-13) Today's lesson comes from the first twelve verses of Matthew 2;

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

This lesson relates the story of the eastern wise men who had came to find and worship the newborn Savior.

It is a mystery how these men knew the Messiah had come simply by seeing the eastern star. I suppose they too were prophets of God, although the story doesn't tell us that. This story demonstrates the amazing ways God deals with His people and the diversity of the those involved in relating to us His divine intentions.

Another part of this lesson tells how Herod and the Jewish hierarchy began plotting to kill Jesus as soon as they had heard of His birth.

NOTE: The birth of Jesus established the second part of the Holy Triune. God, "the Father" being the first part, Jesus is "the Son" being the second. After Jesus completed His sacrificial ordeal (His baptism, according to Luke 12:50.), the Holy Ghost, the third part of the Holy Triune, became mankind's liason to the Father.

The serious bible student should study the whole of God's word to learn about who the Holy Triune is, (God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.) and why and how it affects God's overall plan for the redemption of mankind.

From the creation of all things earthly, to the birth of Jesus, God the Father, by using His angels, dealt either one on one with His people, or through the words and leadership of His divinely inspired prophets. Jesus came to be mankind's intercessor between themselves and the Father, God. After Jesus made His supreme sacrifice for the sins of mankind, The Holy Spirit was sent to be a liason between God and man/woman.

I don't mean to confuse today's lesson, but in order to fully understand the New Testament ministry of Jesus and the later coming of the Holy Spirit, one must first understand the "operation of God" from the beginning to the end of eternity.~

Lesson 739

(Lesson 739)(08-28-13) Today's lesson concerns the immaculate conception and birth of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. Our quote is Matthew 1:18-25,

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."

The divine birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the single most earth shaking chain of events that have occurred since God's creation of the earth and man.

As this scripture says, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost and began His life as a perfect Child, un-defiled by the sin that is inherent in man since the fall of Adam.

We will learn as these lessons progress, that it was imperative that Jesus be born perfect, live a perfect sin-free life, and die perfect. Having NO sin charged against Him.

Jesus, being a Jew, was required to live in total obedience to the The Law of Moses that God had placed on His chosen people, the Jewish race. That law required many things of Him that the law of grace does not demand of Christians today. However, the law of grace could not take affect until Jesus had completed His testament and His sacrificial ordeal. Thereby, paying the sin debt for all who would place their faith in Him.

Hebrews 5:9, "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"~

Lesson 738

(Lesson 738)(08-27-13) With today's lesson, we start with Matthew 1:1 and will cover every individual lesson, all the way through The Revelation.

"The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations."

Our quote contains the first seventeen verses of Matthew and relate to us a blood lineage from Abraham, all the way down to Jesus.

This record tells us that the bloodline of Jesus, just as the prophets testified, can be traced all the way back to the House of David, and prove Him to be "the root of Jesse".

Romans 15:12 tells us that Jesus was the "root of Jesse", "And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust."

Jesse was the father of king David, the beloved of God.

The old testament and the prophets clearly lay out the groundwork for the coming of Christ, and the reason for His coming. I recommend that any serious bible student make a thorough study of the Old testament History of the Jews and the writings of the prophets of God, in order to fully understand the significance of many of the New Testament lessons.~

Lesson 737

(Lesson 737)(08-26-13) Today's lesson is taken from Matthew 5:5-25. This lesson not only demonstrates how the lost can be eternally saved, but also demonstrates that the eternal security of those who believe, is secured at the moment of salvation.

"And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."

Jesus assured those of us whom have accepted His grace, been saved, and given our sins over to Him, that the deed is done, there is no possibility of reversing it and becoming lost again.

Verse 24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

Lets dissect this verse 24 to establish what it actually says; "Everlasting life, as Jesus refers to it, is life in heaven that never ends. We know Jesus must be referring to the life of our inner spirit, our soul, since Hebrews 9:27 tells us "it is appointed unto man, once to die", referring to our earthly bodies.

In reference to those who believe in Him, Jesus says that person "hath" everlasting life, meaning that person already possesses that everlasting life, its not something he/she might inherit at some later point after their earthly life is over, he/she possesses everlasting life at the moment of his/her believing.

Lesson 736

(Lesson 736)(08-26-13) Today's lesson concerns the conversion of Saul, a Jew who was also a Roman citizen and well known tormentor of Christian Jews. This torturous Saul, after his conversion, became known as Paul, Jesus' hand picked Apostle and preacher to the Gentiles.

Acts 9:1-20, "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."

The Apostle Paul was converted much like those of us who are saved today. Just like Paul, we: (1.) we must be convicted, by the Holy Spirit, of the guilt brought upon us through the sin of Adam. (2) we must then acknowledge that God is real, and that He is the ultimate authority over all things, always. (3.) we must realize that through the sin of Adam, we are born sinful and we all stand, when we have reached the age of accountability, condemned to die a spiritual death, separated from the love of God, for eternity. (4.) we must believe that God, in his divine grace, saw fit to give us a chance to be redeemed to His presence. (5) we must accept that grace, and believe that because of that grace, God sent His only begotten son as a perfect, living sacrifice for the sins of all who will believe in Him. (5) we must place ALL our faith in Jesus and what He did when He died, was buried and resurrected on the third day. (6) we must believe that by and through that faith, we take on His righteousness and become justified for our own sinfulness, allowing the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ to carry away our sin, and present us lily white and wholly righteous before God.~