Sunday School - June 7, 2009
A true calling is that which convicts the heart and drives the will of man. This calling is a vocation that compels a need to pursue with a passion that will endure all that impedes ones task. Such commitment is given not to fad or leisure, but to that which rules the heart.
Matthew 6:21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When the desire of the heart meets the will of God, a servant has discovered his call. Such will require no titles or claims for their fruits will bare witness of their call. Thus the finished work, not the wishful desire of man, will truthfully declare the worker.
Matthew 7:20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Proverbs 25:14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
A true calling is an honorable vocation, a special gift from God, given to all Christians. All gifts must be nourished, refined and enhanced through instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Such is needed to assure a continuous blessing to openly share spiritual gifts for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).
As Disciples of Christ, we must yield to the spiritual call and follow that which drives our heart. For such is our gift, God’s given vocation, to perform within and for the Body of Christ. The gifts we received are to be shared with all, not to be peddled for profit, for freely we received and freely we must give (Matthew 10:8).
This week's lesson is from the book of Exodus. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (June 7, 2009) comes from Exodus 3:1-12.
Moses, once prince of Egypt, is now a humbled shepherd of forty-years. A shepherd of flocks that is not his own, but to another, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. Such is a dramatic contrast of a past life, for in time past many served Moses, and now he live a life in service to another. When humbled we are prepared for use by God, now refined by fire, rid of arrogance and pride.
James 4:10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Moses led the flock to the west side of the desert and came upon the mountain of God (Mt. Horeb/ Mt. Sinai). However, not like other days, the angel of God appeared to him in a flame of fire; a fiery bush that burned, but not consumed. Moses was moved with the desire to inquire more; for that which we see, yet not comprehend, will leave us in fear if not soon resolved.
As Moses turned to see, God called him from the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. Such is the proper response to a Holy Call, an obedient reply of readiness for instructions of duties you are given to follow. Moses was instructed not to come closer but to pull off his shoes, for the place in which he stood was holy ground. God proceeded to identify Himself, as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Although there is no evidence that Moses had a prior relationship with God, he most likely had knowledge of his forefathers and their relationship with the one and only living God. Many Israelites knew that their forefathers were given a promise; now through Moses their promise would be fulfilled.
2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The Lord had seen the affliction of His people and knew their sorrow and pain. Now He had come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them unto a land flowing with milk and honey. To this end is God’s call to Moses, to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. With such a great call there must come conviction, the pressing will to endure and follow, but first one must be rid of fear and uncertainties by placing all cares on Him who called. All who God will call, He will also equip:
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
Hebrews 13:21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
God informed Moses that He would certainly be with him and gave him a token. This token will verify that God had sent him, for when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain (Exodus 3:12). Such is our token of redemption, for all who have been redeem will surrender to and forever serve the true and living God.
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 desire to heed to their calling) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless
A true calling is that which convicts the heart and drives the will of man. This calling is a vocation that compels a need to pursue with a passion that will endure all that impedes ones task. Such commitment is given not to fad or leisure, but to that which rules the heart.
Matthew 6:21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When the desire of the heart meets the will of God, a servant has discovered his call. Such will require no titles or claims for their fruits will bare witness of their call. Thus the finished work, not the wishful desire of man, will truthfully declare the worker.
Matthew 7:20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Proverbs 25:14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
A true calling is an honorable vocation, a special gift from God, given to all Christians. All gifts must be nourished, refined and enhanced through instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Such is needed to assure a continuous blessing to openly share spiritual gifts for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).
As Disciples of Christ, we must yield to the spiritual call and follow that which drives our heart. For such is our gift, God’s given vocation, to perform within and for the Body of Christ. The gifts we received are to be shared with all, not to be peddled for profit, for freely we received and freely we must give (Matthew 10:8).
This week's lesson is from the book of Exodus. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (June 7, 2009) comes from Exodus 3:1-12.
Moses, once prince of Egypt, is now a humbled shepherd of forty-years. A shepherd of flocks that is not his own, but to another, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. Such is a dramatic contrast of a past life, for in time past many served Moses, and now he live a life in service to another. When humbled we are prepared for use by God, now refined by fire, rid of arrogance and pride.
James 4:10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Moses led the flock to the west side of the desert and came upon the mountain of God (Mt. Horeb/ Mt. Sinai). However, not like other days, the angel of God appeared to him in a flame of fire; a fiery bush that burned, but not consumed. Moses was moved with the desire to inquire more; for that which we see, yet not comprehend, will leave us in fear if not soon resolved.
As Moses turned to see, God called him from the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. Such is the proper response to a Holy Call, an obedient reply of readiness for instructions of duties you are given to follow. Moses was instructed not to come closer but to pull off his shoes, for the place in which he stood was holy ground. God proceeded to identify Himself, as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Although there is no evidence that Moses had a prior relationship with God, he most likely had knowledge of his forefathers and their relationship with the one and only living God. Many Israelites knew that their forefathers were given a promise; now through Moses their promise would be fulfilled.
2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The Lord had seen the affliction of His people and knew their sorrow and pain. Now He had come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them unto a land flowing with milk and honey. To this end is God’s call to Moses, to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. With such a great call there must come conviction, the pressing will to endure and follow, but first one must be rid of fear and uncertainties by placing all cares on Him who called. All who God will call, He will also equip:
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
Hebrews 13:21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
God informed Moses that He would certainly be with him and gave him a token. This token will verify that God had sent him, for when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain (Exodus 3:12). Such is our token of redemption, for all who have been redeem will surrender to and forever serve the true and living God.
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 desire to heed to their calling) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless