Sunday School - Feb 8 ,2009
Sin is only for a season to them who are the called according to God's purpose. The renewal that is spring, offers no hope of harvest if summer, fall and winter does not follow. Such is the same if sin is not followed by conviction, prayer and deliverance. Sin that is absence of such produces no fruits worthy of redemption. However, sin produced by God's elect is only for a season within a cycle; a cycle which includes both breach & repair (apostasy & reconciliation). The four seasons or cycle of sin are:
2 Chronicles 7:14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Sin not committed triumphs sin that finds deliverance; for all sins have consequences that are sure to come (Galatians 6:7). The faithful that follows in obedience with task, yield fruits of their faith and gives glory to God; such is a testimony that transcends all that is spoken, words put into action is the glorious works of true faith. It must be our desire to never have a will to sin, even when doing such is sure to come:
Romans 7:23-25
The continuous cycle of sin and deliverance was a constant process for the Israelites. Disobedience brings punishment followed by repentance and deliverance. Such was the cycle that plagued the Nation of Israel and such is the inherent cycle of man. Many Judges brought deliverance to the nation; only to have a new generation to fall again into sin (Judges 2:16-23).
This week's lesson begins with the consequences of evil acts that caused the nation of Israel to be delivered in the hands of the Philistines. The Philistines was one of the five nations left by the Lord to both test (Judges 3:1) and punish (Judges 13:1) the Israelites for their sins. These forty years of suppression would be the first of many encounters between Israel and its mighty foe. The birth of a new judge would bring the initial start of deliverance of Israel from the clutches of a perennial enemy, which will conclude during the life of David.
The wife of Manoah, a Danite, was barren and without child. The desire of a barren womb is a longing that draws many closer to God, for when there is an acknowledge deficiency in man’s efforts (Genesis 30:1-2), we are left only to seek the grace of God.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
By petition and/or divine grace, the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and gave her the news that she would conceive and bear a son. The angel of the Lord gave instructions for the prenatal care, rearing, and lifestyle constraints for the child. A child like no other, a Nazarite unto God from the womb to grave; she was also told that he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. A long awaited child would begin a long awaited deliverance; an extraordinary birth would bring forth an extraordinary child, a seed of man chosen by God to begin deliverance. That which God has provided for the Danites, He has provided for all; His Son our Savior, the one and only deliverer from sin.
Hebrews 2:14-15.
Philippians 2:12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
If you are not a typical Sunday School attendee, Go and surprise the teacher. If your Church does not follow the Standard Sunday School Lesson and you are not aware of the topic of discussion, take on the attitude of "positive anticipation". I am sure you will like it; there is nothing like reading and discussing God's Word.
FYI: Sunday School is not just for Kids, it is also for the Humble (those who need a deliverer) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless
Sin is only for a season to them who are the called according to God's purpose. The renewal that is spring, offers no hope of harvest if summer, fall and winter does not follow. Such is the same if sin is not followed by conviction, prayer and deliverance. Sin that is absence of such produces no fruits worthy of redemption. However, sin produced by God's elect is only for a season within a cycle; a cycle which includes both breach & repair (apostasy & reconciliation). The four seasons or cycle of sin are:
- Sin – the disobedience to God's law;
- Conviction – the acknowledgement of sin which results in Godly sorrow;
- Prayer – the petition which seeks God's forgiveness and restoration;
- Deliverance – the faithful response of God to those who seek Him.
2 Chronicles 7:14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Sin not committed triumphs sin that finds deliverance; for all sins have consequences that are sure to come (Galatians 6:7). The faithful that follows in obedience with task, yield fruits of their faith and gives glory to God; such is a testimony that transcends all that is spoken, words put into action is the glorious works of true faith. It must be our desire to never have a will to sin, even when doing such is sure to come:
Romans 7:23-25
- But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
- O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
- I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
The continuous cycle of sin and deliverance was a constant process for the Israelites. Disobedience brings punishment followed by repentance and deliverance. Such was the cycle that plagued the Nation of Israel and such is the inherent cycle of man. Many Judges brought deliverance to the nation; only to have a new generation to fall again into sin (Judges 2:16-23).
This week's lesson begins with the consequences of evil acts that caused the nation of Israel to be delivered in the hands of the Philistines. The Philistines was one of the five nations left by the Lord to both test (Judges 3:1) and punish (Judges 13:1) the Israelites for their sins. These forty years of suppression would be the first of many encounters between Israel and its mighty foe. The birth of a new judge would bring the initial start of deliverance of Israel from the clutches of a perennial enemy, which will conclude during the life of David.
The wife of Manoah, a Danite, was barren and without child. The desire of a barren womb is a longing that draws many closer to God, for when there is an acknowledge deficiency in man’s efforts (Genesis 30:1-2), we are left only to seek the grace of God.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
By petition and/or divine grace, the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and gave her the news that she would conceive and bear a son. The angel of the Lord gave instructions for the prenatal care, rearing, and lifestyle constraints for the child. A child like no other, a Nazarite unto God from the womb to grave; she was also told that he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. A long awaited child would begin a long awaited deliverance; an extraordinary birth would bring forth an extraordinary child, a seed of man chosen by God to begin deliverance. That which God has provided for the Danites, He has provided for all; His Son our Savior, the one and only deliverer from sin.
Hebrews 2:14-15.
- Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
- And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Philippians 2:12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
If you are not a typical Sunday School attendee, Go and surprise the teacher. If your Church does not follow the Standard Sunday School Lesson and you are not aware of the topic of discussion, take on the attitude of "positive anticipation". I am sure you will like it; there is nothing like reading and discussing God's Word.
FYI: Sunday School is not just for Kids, it is also for the Humble (those who need a deliverer) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless