Sunday School - May 10, 2009

Sunday School - May 10, 2009

One’s work or labor produces the means from which provisions are attained; such may be in service to others or in efforts to produce needed goods. A child’s work is his or her play, the blissful service of playing with others for the collective production of cheerful joy. All who labors seek to merit a reward, the anticipated fruits for that which was sown by work.

Ecclesiastes 3:22. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Proverbs 20:11. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.


Many are known by their work or profession and often rejoice in their success, the fruitful rewards of labor, which boast to their apparent deeds. Such are the anticipated rewards from labor and deeds, for the labourer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:11).

1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Ecclesiastes 3:13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.


If one does not labor, yet receives a reward, no honorable boasting of deeds can one proclaim; for, If there is no sowing, yet reaping, there can be no attributable merited reward. However, if such a reward is needed, yet it is beyond the realm of one’s work or profession, such a reward can only be obtained as a gift. If such a gift comes with no strings attached (as gifts are often given by sinful man "Exodus 23:8"), such is a glorious gift indeed. As Christians, we have received such a gift, a gift we could never have earned; a priceless gift from our glorious savior, of no works or labor that we may claim to be our own.

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


This week's lesson is again from the book of Ephesians. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (May 10, 2009) comes from Ephesians 2:1-10.

Paul begin this passage with a reminder to the Church at Ephesus of what God has done for them (and all Christians), who were once dead in sin; for we have been quickened (made-alive) and saved from our merited destiny of hell. In time past we were lead by the world and the spirit that works in the hearts of lost sinners; in former days we conformed to a wicked way of life, fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Such a mess we were able to create, a mess that required a savior to make clean.

1 John 2:1-2. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.


The love and mercy of God is so great that, even when we were dead in sin He quickened us together with Christ. Through our faith in Christ, we were imputed righteousness in Him and in Him we have His shared blessings: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7). In Jesus, we have found salvation; through Jesus, we shall share in His glory:

Romans 8:17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

As sinners, we have no personal means or method of salvation; so by God’s grace were we saved through faith in Christ. This free gift was the work of a Sinless Savior, not of man workings or skill. Given such, no man can claim honor or boast. Now, the quickened man is made Christ’s workmanship, a masterpiece produced by God; a masterpiece made not by man’s works, but created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.


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 are or seek to become Christ workmanship) at heart.

Good Day and God Bless
 
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