Let us, however, remember each other, our cares, our hopes, our needs, and our thanksgivings. Make sure that all are well with God and others. Spend some time before you begin this lesson sharing what happened during the week. How is God answering the prayers you have said for each other? Are you each walking with him daily, learning from his Word, and setting aside time to pray each day? Have you forgiven all who have harmed you this week, and have you asked forgiveness and made restitution to anyone you may have wronged?

Do not let yourself be discouraged. It is often the case that many who first hear of Christ respond to him with joy, but then later, when troubles or worries come along, they fall away. They may have come to your small group in the beginning, but now, they no longer meet with you. Perhaps by now, only a few of you remain. Do not let this trouble you. God is faithful, and he will honor you. Pray that God will bring new members to your group, and pray for him to show you whom to invite. Let us be like Christ who, having loved his own, loved them to the end (John 13:1).
We will be studying Acts 2:1-41. Before we begin this study, however, let us open our hearts to God in prayer.

O eternal and living God, source of all goodness and love, we pray that you would open our minds and hearts to receive this teaching on the Holy Spirit. Above all, heavenly Father, risen Lord Jesus, baptize us fully in your Holy Spirit that we might be filled with your power, establish your Kingdom, be your witnesses, receive your love, and obey you forever. Amen.

Before beginning this study, it would be good to notice one more feature of Acts 1. The disciples, Mary the mother of Jesus, the women, and other followers, were together in an upper room, some 120 people in all. According to Acts 1:14, all these believers “with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” In unity and in prayer, they awaited the coming of the Spirit. For this reason, if there is any conflict or discord among you, any lack of forgiveness, please, for the sake of Jesus and his Kingdom, be reconciled with one another at once. Once you are reconciled, let us begin our lesson on the Holy Spirit. At the end of the lesson, we will do as did the disciples, devote ourselves to prayer that we might receive the Holy Spirit. We will be reading Acts 2:1-41 in sections, beginning with Acts 2:1-13. This is a long lesson and it may take you several weeks to complete it. Throughout this time, individually and together, seek the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1-13

Read Acts 2:1-13 at least twice. Then read and discuss the following points to make sure everyone understands them.

1. The account in Acts 2:1-13 is the first of several accounts in the book of Acts where persons received the Holy Spirit. As we read these accounts, we learn that the Holy Spirit is received according to God’s purposes which differ for different persons and circumstances. For example, in Acts 2:38, Peter tells those who hear his sermon that they are to be baptized with water and then they will receive the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10:44-48, Peter was preaching and the Holy Spirit was given to the household of Cornelius before they were baptized with water. According to Acts 9:17-19, Paul first received the Holy Spirit, and then he was baptized in water. In Acts 8:14-17, Acts 9:17-19, and Acts 19:1-7, the Spirit was given through the laying-on-of-hands. In Acts 2:1-13 and Acts 10:44-45 the Spirit was given without the laying on of hands. In our next lesson we will discuss baptism in water, but for now, we need to recognize that God gives the Holy Spirit according to his purposes which vary with time and circumstances. As we receive the Spirit we will be given the authority to minister in the name of Christ and to love God and his people.
2. The New Testament was written in Greek. The word “spirit” in Greek, is the same word as “wind.” The Spirit is a power like a wind that empowers believers to act and live with dynamic force. Fire, in Scripture, often represents the holiness of God, and when baptized with fire, believers will be aware of their sin, repent, and be purified by the forgiveness of God. As you will see in Acts 2:37, those who listened to Peter were “cut to the heart.” They were convicted of their sin because the Holy Spirit was already at work in their hearts. As you read these words, as you seek to follow Christ, as you repent of your sin, and as you worship and give glory to God, the Holy Spirit is beginning to work in you and even more, seeking to work fully in your very lives.

3. The disciples received the Spirit on Pentecost. Pentecost was one of the great religious festivals of the Jews. It occurred fifty days after Passover, and since Jesus was crucified at Passover, the Spirit was given fifty days after Jesus’ crucifixion. At Pentecost, Jewish people came to Jerusalem from many lands to celebrate the Pentecost festival. They spoke many different languages and God chose to reveal his presence and power by enabling the disciples to miraculously speak these languages. This miracle convinced a number of those present that God was indeed at work. As you receive the Spirit, God may choose to manifest his presence in this way or in other ways. As Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12, there are many gifts of the Spirit and not everyone receives all the gifts. In addition to speaking in tongues, Paul lists such gifts as wisdom, miracles, healing, faith, words of knowledge, prophetic words, and the discernment of spirits. As mentioned in Acts 2:17, dreams, visions, and prophetic words often accompany the presence of the Spirit. All these works of the Spirit are important, and we will will study them in greater detail in due time. But for the moment, we need to be open today to receiving all these gifts and many more, whatever blessings the Holy Spirit desires to pour out upon us.

4. Although God gives specific gifts to each person, other blessings of the Spirit are to be given to all Christians without exception. All who receive the Spirit will be empowered by God to witness to the saving deeds and words of Jesus Christ and bring in his Kingdom. All who receive the Spirit will want to know Jesus more fully and will want to learn about him from the Scriptures. Further, as the whole of the New Testament makes clear, all who receive the Spirit will be empowered to receive and give love. This is the Spirit’s greatest blessing, the capacity to receive love from God and love others (1 Corinthians 13). For this reason, it is not uncommon for those who receive the Spirit to be filled with a sense of God’s love, to know the love of Christ dying for them on the cross, and to have a passionate desire to love and follow him forever in the company of those who love. That is the greatest work of the Spirit, knowing the love of God in Christ Jesus and rejoicing in his presence.

Let me suggest that you reread Acts 2:1-13. After you read this passage again, now would be a good time to begin to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Why not join hands and fervently pray? Or perhaps, you need to kneel together. Pray as long as you wish. If you want to lay hands on each other, do so in turn. According to Acts 1, the disciples, before they received the Spirit, were praying constantly together in an upper room (Acts 1:14). The text does not say how long they prayed, but it may well have been several weeks. In any event, as this lesson unfolds, pray steadily for the Holy Spirit and expect God to act. You may or may not have an immediate experience of the Spirit, but you can know you have received the Spirit when you find yourself eager to follow Jesus, empowered to establish his Kingdom, and filled with love for God and others.

Let us continue with our next section, Acts 2:14-41. Please read it, discuss the following comments, read it again, and receive its message.

Acts 2:14-41

1. Notice that once the disciples had received the Spirit, they were immediately empowered to witness to the saving deeds of Jesus Christ. Peter, along with the eleven other disciples, stood up and addressed the people. Not all were empowered to speak in front of a large crowd as was Peter, but all who received the Spirit were empowered to help recreate the life of Christ in various ways. Peter began by saying that the disciples were not drunk “since it is only the third hour of the day,” that is, nine o’clock in the morning.
2. Notice also that Peter quotes the Old Testament. For the Jews gathered in Jerusalem, the Old Testament was the authoritative Word of God. Peter quoted three passages from Scripture, Joel 2:28-32 quoted in Acts 2:17-21, Psalm 16:8-11 quoted in Acts 25-28, and Psalm 110:1 quoted in Acts 2:34-5. Since these scriptures were the Word of God, Peter’s listeners must listen carefully to them and understand them, just as we hear and seek to understand what we are now reading in Acts.

3. Peter began the quotation from Joel by stating that these were the “last days.” By “last days,” Peter means that God has now done all things we need for salvation, and that there are no new or additional saving words and deeds until Jesus returns. These saving deeds and words are recorded in the Bible, and for that reason, we trust the Bible to tell us what we need to know for salvation.

4. Notice also that all kinds of persons can receive the Spirit: young, old, men, women, servants and anyone else. Further, as seen in Acts 2:39, the promise is for everyone, parents and children, those who live near and those who live far away. This means that all of us can receive the Spirit. The final words from Joel, about the wonders in the sun and moon and signs on the earth, have been understood by students of the Bible in various ways. Whatever the verses mean, they signify the coming power of God, beginning now and completed at the end of time.

5. Having assured his listeners that what is happening was the work of the Spirit, Peter then goes to the heart of his message — Jesus Christ. He tells them that Jesus did miracles and that he was handed over to be crucified. He also states that his listeners were among those who insisted upon Jesus’ death, just as our persistence in sin required Christ’s death on the cross.

6. Peter then quotes from Psalm 16:8-11 which, according to its title, is a psalm of David. Verses 8-11 refer to someone who did not die, who came at once into the presence of God. David, however, died, and his body suffered corruption. Jesus died, but his body did not see corruption, and further, he was raised to the right hand of God. In other words, Jesus fulfilled Psalm 16:8-11, and as a consequence, Peter’s listeners would understand that God had authorized Christ as the one who gives eternal life beyond death.

7. The word “Lord” in verse 36 means that Jesus is God. He lives with the honor, glory, and power of God. The term “Christ” means one sent by God to save us. Salvation is deliverance from all darkness, sorrow, sin, and death, beginning in this life and completed by our resurrection from the dead at the end of time. This deliverance was the result of Christ dying on the cross for our sins, forgiving us by his atoning sacrifice, clothing us with his righteousness, pouring out upon us the Holy Spirit, and bringing us into relationship with a living God. Only God, only one sent from God, can do these things, and therefore, Jesus is both Lord and Savior.

8. Once the message of salvation had been given, Peter asked his listeners to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and further, once baptized, they would receive the Holy Spirit. By baptism, he means baptism with water. Repent means to turn around, live differently, ask forgiveness, receive the Spirit, know God, and live accordingly. In our next lesson, we will discuss baptism with water.

9. As you can see, Peter’s words had authority. They were spoken by the power of the Spirit, and therefore, they penetrated the hearts of his listeners. They were “cut to the heart,” that is, they knew they had sinned by crucifying Jesus, and further, they knew they were doomed if they did not repent. We are in the same condition today. Let us give great thanks to God that we have heard this message, that we can repent and receive baptism by water and by the Holy Spirit. All praise to the living God who does not abandon his people but sends his messengers before him that we might be saved.

As you think about these things and discuss them, the Holy Spirit will guide you and show you what to do next. We have often spoken of repentance, but perhaps, the Spirit will show you deeper sins that need repentance. Perhaps some of you will begin to sense the great and wondrous love of God who sent his Son to die for you. Perhaps others of you will feel that God has not yet come to you in the power of the Spirit. Perhaps you believe there is something blocking your receiving the Spirit. Help and encourage one another. Continue to pray for the Spirit together and individually. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you seek the Spirit.

O great and living God, blessed Savior who died that we might live, pour out upon these your people your wonderful Holy Spirit that they might know and love you forever. Amen.

Acts 2:42-47
1. In the “Introduction” to our study of the person of Jesus we learned that Christ, by his life, atoning death, resurrection, ascension, and descent in the Spirit, redeems the four major areas of life we first studied in our lesson “Sin, Corruption, and Death.” He restores our relationship with God, he enables us to be at peace with one another, he enables us to use our material possessions according to God’s purposes, and he conquers the devil. As you read Acts 2:42-47, you will see this redemption happening for those who first received the Spirit. Also, you will notice that the disciples were doing many different things together. Not all were called, as was Peter, to give sermons as on the day of Pentecost. All, however, were filled with the Spirit, reconciled with God and each other, and living a vital Christian life. It was this life, as well as the teaching and preaching of the apostles, that enabled the early believers to witness to the presence of Christ acting in their midst. As in the previous sections, read and reread this passage and consider the following points and questions for discussion.

1. What in this passage would show you that the disciples were reconciled to God and experiencing his living presence? Why were the apostles able to do “many wonders and signs”? Why do you think the early disciples were “praising God”? Why do you think “awe came upon every soul”? Why did they find “favor with all the people”?

2. The apostles were those who had known Jesus in the flesh and witnessed his resurrection. While they were with Jesus, he taught them, and they in turn taught the early believers what they had learned from Jesus. This teaching was called the “apostles’ teaching” (verse 42). This teaching can be found in the four gospels and throughout the New Testament, and in the Old Testament as well since Jesus taught his disciples how he fulfilled the Old Testament. Are you, your small group, and your church “devoted to the apostles’ teaching”? What is the meaning of the word “devoted,” and why would they be devoted?

3. Are you, your small group, and your church devoted to the fellowship? Are you sharing together the things of Christ in your small group, praying for each other, and encouraging each other in the faith?

4. The “breaking of bread and the prayers” means prayer, shared meals, and above all, the Holy Communion in which believers share the body and blood of Christ in the bread and wine. We will study this very important matter in the future, but for now, are you, your small group, and church praying, worshipping, and celebrating together?

5. In addition to the points raised in the previous three questions, are there other parts of Acts 2:42-47 that would show that God was healing the second area of life, that is, our relationships with one another?

6. According to Acts 2:44-45, the believers held all things in common. In our lesson entitled “Land and Work,” we learned that God divided the land among tribes, clans, and families and instituted legislation that kept land in each family for future generations. The division of the land, and its remaining within families, enabled families to always have a way to earn their living. The Holy Spirit honored this ancient legislation by fulfilling its purpose, the hope that all would be fed and have work. The Holy Spirit did not force anyone to sell what they had and share with the needy, nor did the Spirit demand that land or other resources be given to the apostles or anyone else.

The Holy Spirit, however, so filled believers with the sacrificial love of Jesus who gave everything he had up to God and for us on the cross, that the first believers shared what they had. They often sold lands or other property and brought the money to the apostles to be shared among the poor (Acts 4:32-35). Out of the profound love of Jesus they helped each other. They worked together so that none would be hungry, and in this way, they fulfilled the Old Testament teaching on the use of resources. Are you, your small group, and your church, filled with a spirit of generosity and compassion so that all would have work and none would go hungry? In this regard, it would be good to review the questions asked in the lesson “Land and Work.” Let Jesus open your hearts in this matter and do not fall under his judgment.

7. The passage does not mention the devil, but you can be sure that the early believers were not able to live by the Spirit without the devil being defeated in their midst. We will say more about this soon, but for now, give thanks that Jesus Christ overcame the devil by his life and mighty resurrection, and further, that he gives believers the power to conquer the devil. Defeating the devil and his works was doubtless among the “wonders and signs” performed by the apostles (verse 43).

8. As you think back over these questions, and what happened to the early believers when they received the Spirit, ask yourself this question: Have I, my small group, and my church, received the Holy Spirit? If the answer is yes, you and others will be doing the things described in Acts 2 and elsewhere in the New Testament. If you and others are not empowered to do these things, if the love of God is not aching in your hearts, if Jesus is not real to you, if your heart is closed to those who have so little, if God’s power is not manifest in your midst, if you are not witnessing in the power of the Spirit, if you are not hungry to read Scripture, to worship and fellowship with believers, and if you are not persevering in following Jesus in spite of troubles and difficulties, then fall upon your knees now and ask the Lord Jesus to baptize you and your fellow believers in the power of his Holy Spirit. Here are the words of Jesus, “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”(Luke 11:9-13).

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, by the strong mercies of your cross, do not leave us without your living presence. Pour out upon us your Holy Spirit, that we might know you, love you, worship you, and enter into those indescribable joys that mark us as your own forever. Amen.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might renew all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

In Acts 1:1, the writer tells Theophilus that, in his first book, he “dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.” That “first book” is the gospel of Luke. We know this because the writer in Luke 1:4 tells the same Theophilus that he is writing the gospel of Luke so that Theophilus would “have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Since the same author write Luke and then Acts, the final words of Luke, Luke 24:50-53, fit together naturally with the first words of Acts, Acts 1:1-11. We will read these two together.

Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-11

Please read Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:1-11 aloud, at least twice, and then answer these questions.

1. What verses in this passage indicate that Jesus was taken up into heaven?
2. Luke 24:50 says that Jesus blessed his disciples. What gestures do you think Jesus used to bless his disciples? What do you think he might have said? To help answer that last question, read Numbers 6:23-27. What do you think it means to be blessed? How have ever had anyone bless you? How did they do this and what did they say?
3. When Jesus was raised from the dead, he appeared to the disciples as one who had conquered sin and death. He appeared as the very power and life of God. For that reason, the disciples came to believe that he was God. What in Luke 24:52 would indicate that the disciples thought Jesus was God?
4. What verses indicate that Jesus was taken up into heaven? Since he is in heaven, he is no longer on earth as he was with the disciples in the days of his flesh. The fact that Jesus is ascended into heaven means we no longer see, hear, and touch him as did the original disciples. They saw Christ directly, heard his words daily, saw his crucifixion, witnessed his resurrection, and saw him taken up into heaven. We did not see or hear these things. We only truly know these things because of the testimony of the disciples. As Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 24:48, “You are witnesses of these things,” and the church has preserved that witness in Scripture so we would know the Truth and not imagine something different. This means that if you have a revelation, a dream, a vision, a prophetic word, or any impression that is contrary to the testimony of the disciples found in Scripture, you cannot believe of follow it. With this in mind, have you ever had any ideas about God that you later discovered were false when you learned the Truth from Scripture? Has any person, church, group, power, spirit, or being, revealed something to you that was contrary to Scripture? Have you ever had a dream, vision, or prophetic word that led you astray? Share these things with your group. Also, take some time and share some of the great things you have learned from Scripture that blessed you.
5. Before going any further, it would be good to say a few more things about the ascension. First, there are many passages of Scripture that teach that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he sat down at the “right hand of God.” Here are some of them that you may want to read: Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33-34; Acts 7:55-56; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, and 12:2; and 1 Peter 3:22. The phrase, “at the right hand of God,” means that God has given Jesus all authority in heaven and earth. It is through Jesus that God exercises his authority. In 1 Peter 3:22, for example, we read that Jesus Christ “has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said to his disciples after his resurrection, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). This means that Jesus has absolute authority over everything — sin, death, the devil and his legions, over governments, nations, and all people, over sickness, madness, earthquakes, floods, and all the forces of nature, over time, past, present, future, over everything.

This authority, Jesus’ rule over all things, has three important moments.

a. First, Jesus established this authority by his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. In these events, the power of sin and death was broken. Sin, evil, suffering, sorrow, and death remain, but their power is broken. They cannot stand against the gospel of Jesus Christ received in faith.
b. Today, in the world, Jesus chooses to conquer sin, evil, suffering, and death by the proclamation of the gospel and the work of the Spirit. When, in Acts 1:6, the disciples asked if Jesus was about to restore the kingdom to Israel, Jesus replied that they would receive the Holy Spirit and be his witnesses. The disciples were expecting a political kingdom for the nation of Israel, but Jesus establishes his Kingdom through the work of his disciples who witness to him in the power of the Spirit. As that witness takes place, the power of sin and death is being conquered for those who believe in Jesus and follow him. This happens in this life, but not fully. We still, as described in point five of the previous lesson, are subject to sin and sorrow although these are being conquered in us.
c. Finally, there will come a time when Jesus will return. According to Acts 1:11, Jesus will return in a way similar to his departure, that is, in the clouds (verse 9). On that day, he will appear with great glory and power to completely establish his kingdom. Then our waiting will be over. To learn more about this, you might want to read Matthew 24:30, 26:64, Mark 13:26, 14:62, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, and Revelation 1:7. In Matthew 24:30, Jesus proclaims that he, the Son of Man, will will return “on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” According to Acts 1:7, we will not be told when this will happen. It will surely happen, however, and when that day comes, Christ’s Kingdom will be fully established and God will be all in all.

As we think about these things, let us ask ourselves some final questions. Is sin being conquered in your life? Have you witnessed to God’s great acts as described in Scripture? Has anyone ever told you that Jesus was coming at a certain time or date, and did you believe them? Although the power of sin and death has been broken, we still, at times, have struggles, especially when Jesus calls us to suffer persecution for his sake. Do you look forward to the day when Jesus will return, when you as a believer, will see him face to face and be blessed forever? Has God made this great hope real in your life? Do you have this hope when everything else seems hopeless? Do you believe that God will conquer all things, beginning in this life and completed in the life to come. Encourage one another with this hope, regardless of your circumstances. Let us end this lesson with a prayer.

Blessed Lord Jesus, we thank you that by your death, resurrection, and ascension you have conquered all sin, sorrow, and death. Thank you that you rule over all things, and that one day, we will see you face to face in your kingdom. Pour out upon us your Holy Spirit, that your conquest of all sin and sorrow may even now be made evident in our lives. This we ask, Father, in the mighty name of your Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen

Do not forget to pray daily for each other, help those in need, strengthen everyone in the faith, and give glory to God for all things. Let us end with these words from Hebrews,

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21).

In our next lesson, we will learn about, and ask to receive, the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

Before we begin this introduction, however, let us remember to greet each other in the name of Jesus, to give thanks to the Lord for he is good, to listen to any needs that any in your group may have, to give thanks for each other and God’s blessings, and to commit ourselves to helping each other along the way.   Are there any members of your group that need special help?  Are there some who have not been coming to your meetings and need a visit?  Have you been keeping your pastor and other leaders aware of your needs, and have you been open to their guidance as you seek to minister to members of your community?  You do not need to answer all these questions at once, but perhaps there are some things that need attention before you begin this lesson on the resurrection of  Jesus Christ.  Let us begin with a prayer. 

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by your mighty power you have raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Help us we pray to commit ourselves to him daily that we might inherit that glorious resurrection and eternal life promised to those who believe in him and live for him.  All this we ask, thanking you for your great mercy.  Amen.

In a previous lesson, “The Cross and Resurrection,” we read Luke 22:7-24:49, the account of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.  In this lesson, we will read all of Luke chapter 24, the last chapter of the gospel of Luke.  Please read chapter 24 out loud at least twice and then answer the following questions.

Luke Chapter 24

1.  What in this passage would indicate that Jesus was alive and raised body and soul from the dead?

2.  Although Jesus was raised body and soul from the dead, he was not bound by space and time as we are.  He was free to appear and disappear as he would wish.   For example, in John 20:26-27, Jesus suddenly appeared to his disciples even though they were in a room with locked doors.  Or, in Matthew 28:9, the text says that Jesus suddenly met the women, as if he did not come walking up to them but suddenly appeared.  What, in this passage from Luke 24 would indicate that Jesus was free to appear to his disciples and then disappear as well?  

3.  In previous lessons we read passages from the Old Testament and interpreted them as fulfilled in Christ.  What does Jesus say about this as found in Luke 24?

4.  In our lesson, “Worship and The Covenant,” we studied Exodus 24:1-11 and learned that Moses and the elders saw God as they ate a sacred meal.  What in Luke 24 would indicate that the disciples recognized Jesus as he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to the disciples?  In the Holy Communion, or Holy Eucharist, Christians remember Jesus’ death and resurrection by taking bread, giving thanks, breaking it, and sharing it among themselves.  At that time, Jesus can become very real to those who believe.  Have any of you experienced the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist in a special way?  If so, what was that like, or what happened?

5.  In a previous lesson, “The Cross and Resurrection,” we learned that Jesus bore the wrath of God on the cross.  He atoned for our sins by dying in our place, he was broken by our sin and suffering, and in spite of all these things, he proclaimed the forgiveness of sins as he hung dying.    Then, on the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead.  According to Luke 24:47-48, the disciples were to tell others about these great saving events.   We have their witness in the gospel of Luke and throughout the New Testament.  We can, therefore, proclaim these saving acts of God by proclaiming the disciples’ testimony.   We also give testimony to what Christ has done in our lives.  How have you, by your words and deeds, witnessed to and proclaimed, the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as known in Scripture?   Have you witnessed to the liberating power of Christ dying in your place, forgiving your sins, and giving you a new life by the power of his mighty resurrection?  What has been the results of your testimony?

6.  According to Luke 24:49, the disciples were to wait in Jerusalem until they had been been “clothed with power from on high.”  This refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit which we will study shortly. For the moment, however, share with each other what you know of the Holy Spirit, and how the Spirit has been active in your lives. 

There are many more important things we could say about the resurrection.  We will study them in future lessons, but for the moment, let me list some of them.

1.  God raised Jesus from the dead.  He died once, but he will never die again.  Those who believe in Jesus will die once, but be raised from the dead and given eternal life.  

2.  When Jesus was crucified, he suffered the sins, sorrows, death, and evil powers of this world.  By his resurrection, all sin, suffering, sickness, sorrow, and evil powers are conquered in Christ Jesus.   Those who believe in him have this victory, beginning in this life and completed in the life to come. 

3.  After Jesus was raised from the dead, he ascended into the very presence of God, and believers, even today, can enter into the presence of the living God.  In the presence of God we are treated as sons and daughters.  We can know the Lord Jesus Christ intimately, and through him, hear the voice and see the face of the living God.  Commissioned by Jesus, we have a reason to live, a hope in suffering, and the certainty of eternal forgiveness, mercy, and love.

4.  By virtue of his resurrection, Christ creates a body of believers who live by, with, and for him.  In this great fellowship, believers can know a love that overcomes the world.  

Final Question:  In light of the foregoing, what do you think of the resurrection?  Share this great hope among you.  Let us end with a prayer.

O great and living God, whose words are thunder and whose face a flaming fire, we fall before the crucifixion and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ the Lord.   Pour out upon us you Holy Spirit, that though the mediation of his eternal mercies, we might enter into your very presence, to see your face, hear you words, and know your love forever.  In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

In our next lesson we will study the ascension. 

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.

dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

Before we begin the introduction to our lessons on the Lord Jesus, there might be some members of your group who would like to share how they came to Christ and what he has done in their lives. Please give them the opportunity to share their faith. Perhaps there are some in your group who would like to commit themselves to Christ for the first time. Explain to them the privileges and responsibilities of this commitment. Pray with them, and for them, asking them to speak aloud to the Lord Jesus of their desire to be forgiven of their sins and to follow him daily. Or, perhaps there are some in your group who have committed themselves to him, but have not followed him fully. Give them an opportunity to confess their failings and to ask for prayer that they might become more faithful. Perhaps they have a weakness or sin they need to confess. Often it is good for those present to lay hands upon the person in need, praying that the power of God would come upon them and cure them of their failing. If there are those who wish to follow Jesus and have not been baptized, tell your church’s pastor about their desire, and ask the pastor to speak with them about baptism with the aim of baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In a future lesson we will discuss baptism, but for now, it represents a public rite of confessing Christ and of entering into his death to sin and rising to a new life with God and his people.

Before we go any further, let us pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending us your Son. Thank you that he lived that we might live, that he died for our sins, that he rose from the dead, and that he reigns with you in heaven. Pour out upon us, we pray, a spirit of humility and love that our hearts may be open to hear and receive your saving work through this lesson and the ones that follow. All this we ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

How do we know Jesus? We know Jesus, above all, by reading about him in the Bible, especially the first four books of the New Testament. These books describe the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They are called “gospels.” The word “gospel” means “good news,” and what we will learn there is very good news indeed. As we study these gospels, we will not read all of them in detail. These are introductory lessons, and in the future, we will study the gospels more fully. For now, however, we will study portions of Luke’s gospel followed by the book of Acts. As you will see, Luke and Acts were written by the same person.

As we read Luke’s gospel, we need to know how to understand it. To help us do that, we will begin with certain very important ideas which I will now present. We will discover the importance of these ideas as our lessons unfold. Please read the following points, think about them, and pray that God will show us why these events are important.

1. Jesus lived, and as he lived, he redeemed the four broken areas of life we studied in our lesson entitled, “Sin, Corruption, and Death.” These four areas are our relationship with God, our relations with each other, how we use our material possessions, and our being subject to Satan and his evil spirits. Jesus redeemed all these areas of life. He redeemed these four areas by being obedient to God, by calling disciples, teaching the way of truth, fulfilling the hopes of the Old Testament, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, befriending the needy, forgiving sinners, casting out demons, reconciling sinners to a living God, proclaiming good news, and forming a company of men and women who came to love him, to love God, and to love each other. These are a few of the things he did while alive, and you can read about them in the gospels.

2. Jesus died on the cross. As studied in previous lessons, he atoned for our sins, forgave us, reconciled us to God, clothed us in his righteousness, and since we are now forgiven and clean, he brings us into the very presence of the living God.

3. God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus appeared to his disciples and then he ascended to the right hand of God. His being at the right hand of God means that he has the authority of God. As stated in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He exercises this authority in many ways, but among the most important are Scripture and the witness and work of those who believe in him.

4. Once risen, Jesus baptized those who followed him in the Holy Spirit. This is important. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit means that the risen Jesus acts in the lives of believers. As Jesus acts by the Spirit, he creates the very life of God in believers and redeems all areas of life. He can do this for all people everywhere because he is no longer limited in space and time as he was in the days of his flesh. Rather, seated at the right hand of God, he can be in all times and places by the power of the Spirit. As believers are empowered by the Spirit, as they proclaim Christ’s words and do his deeds, Jesus acts and speaks, and Jesus recreates the very life of God that he created in the days of his flesh. This means that Jesus, through the witness and the work of believers, preaches good news, calls disciples, teaches truth, fulfills the hope of the Old Testament, heals the sick, feeds the hungry, associates with the needy, forgives sinners, casts out demons, reconciles sinners to God, to each other, and to themselves, and forms a company of people who, by his atoning sacrifice are clothed in his righteousness, can enter into the very presence of God, see his face, hear his voice, receive love from him, and love him forever. The risen and ascended Jesus does these things, and those who receive his Spirit and live in obedience to him, do them in his name. This great reality of the Christian faith is the Kingdom of God on earth, and we are now going to enter into that reality.

5. As believers live in thankful obedience to Jesus and as they receive the Holy Spirit, they enter into his Kingdom. This Kingdom, the Kingdom of God on earth, comes with great power and joy, but as we shall see, the Kingdom will not come in its fullness until Jesus returns at the end of this age. Until then, as the apostle Paul proclaims, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). In other words, though we enter the Kingdom, we do not fully enter. We still suffer in this life, we have struggles and disappointments, and we still sin. Even so, we have hope, for Christ is with us, giving us his very life and calling us to live by faith, knowing that some day we will see him face to face.

6. To see this more fully, we need to know that Jesus is risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father where he exercises the authority needed to carry out his works on earth. We also need to know that believers can be baptized by the Holy Spirit, and that by the Holy Spirit, followers of Jesus can do the deeds of Jesus as described in the gospels.

7. Therefore, in the next three lessons we will do the following: learn about the resurrection, learn about the ascension, and learn how to receive the Holy Spirit.

8. Once we know that Jesus is alive, that he exercises his authority by the power of the Spirit, we will return and read portions of the gospel of Luke to learn what Jesus did in the days he walked the earth. As we study these things, we will approach them with the understanding that Jesus does these same things today, and that he does them through the work and witness of those who follow him. That is, we will study his words and deeds with the understanding that believers are to proclaim his words and do his deeds today.

Questions for Discussion

1. Point four, given above, lists some of the things that Jesus does today through the witness and work of those who believe in him. Reread this list, and then, share with each other how believers are doing these very deeds in the name of Jesus.
2. In your church and community, are believers failing to do some of these things? If so, which ones?
3. Are you open to receiving the power of the Spirit to do these things? Are you fearful or hesitant in any way? If so, confess this to your group, and pray together that God take away your fear or worry. You are a soldier for the King. Ask him to give you a longing for these things to occur in you lives and in the life of your community. Let your group, right now, pray that God, the living God, would empower you and your church to do the very deeds of Jesus today.
4. Have you attempted to follow Jesus, proclaim his words and do his deeds, and found yourself defeated in any way? Tell your group about this. Pray together and offer your disappointments to God. Let him heal your hearts and give you renewed faith and courage. Let us believe the words of the Lord Jesus, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Let us end this lesson with a prayer.

O living God, we cannot thank you enough for the great hope you have given us in Jesus Christ the Lord. Please pour out upon us your mercy that we might be soldiers in your Kingdom. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

In our next lesson we will learn about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

Heavenly Father, we give you great thanks that you have created us for fellowship with you. We also thank you that you have redeemed us from sin and death. Pour out upon us your Holy Spirit that we might help each other review what we have learned. All for the glory of your Name. Amen.

In the previous lesson, we summarized what we learned in our first nine lessons on the Holy Scriptures. In this lesson, we will repeat those nine summaries and summarize the three lessons we covered in the section, “Hope for the Kingdom.” These twelve summaries will be given below. Read each one out loud, and after you have read it, let the group answer the four questions in light of the lesson being summarized. For example, in lesson one, “God Creates the World,” the four questions could be answered as follows: Where did we come from? We came from God who created all of us. Who are we? We are all made in the image of God and members of a single human race. We are made to worship God, to work, and to raise our families. Where are we now and where are we going? We are now upon earth, but Genesis one and two do not tell us where we are going. What must we do? We must treat each other as creatures of the one God, establish our families, and do our work well.

Further, as you answer the four questions, build upon previous summaries and answers. For example, in the lesson, “Isaiah Five,” we learned how God’s people violated the laws of the covenant in regard to land. In answering the four questions in regard to “Isaiah Five” and previous answers, we could say that God intended land for all of us in Eden (”God Creates the World”), that this land was cursed as a result of sin (”Sin, Corruption, and Death”), that God chose a people (”God Chose a People”) and showed them how to use the land rightly (”Land and Work”), and although we are the people chosen by God, we have added house to house and done our work poorly (”Isaiah Five”). Who are we? We are people who have done these things. Where did we come from? We came from God, and at the same time, we have come from people who added house to house and failed to work well and wisely. Where are we now and where are we going? We are on our way to learning how to use our resources, land, time, and strength, for God’s Kingdom.

Here are the summaries of the twelve lessons. Read each one out loud, and then answer the four questions as informed by the summary of the lesson you just read as well as the prior summaries and your answers. Continue building your answers until you reach the final lesson. God bless you!!!

1. In our lesson, “God Creates the World,” we learned that God created all things good, that there is only one human race, that men and women are made for each other in marriage, that God intends for all of us to work, and that God wants all people to benefit from the blessings of creation.

2. In our lesson, “Sin, Corruption, and Death,” we learned that all of us disobeyed God’s commands. The result was the corruption, sorrow, and death that affects all areas of life, including our relationship with God, with the land, with each other, and we are subject to the devil and his angels. This disobedience, however, was laid upon Jesus, and as we shall see in future lessons, in his presence the blessings of creation are restored to the people who come to him.

3. In “God Chose a People,” we learned that God chose Abraham and his descendants, the people of Israel. Jesus was, above all, the descendant chosen to bless the world. We are spiritual descendants of Abraham, and in obedience to Jesus, we are called to be a blessing. We are not always a blessing, and our failure to bless others was also laid upon Jesus.

4. In our lesson, “Leadership,” we learned that God began to establish his Kingdom by commanding leaders to study God’s Word daily and to put it into practice. Leaders are not to use their positions to amass power and wealth, but as an opportunity for righteousness and justice. We also learned that we are to follow the godly leadership of those God has placed over us.

5. In “Land and Work,” we learned that God divided the land among the people and provided laws that returned land to its original owners and cancelled debt. We learned that we, as followers of Christ, are to use our resources for the sake of our communities as well as our own needs.

6. In “Worship and The Covenant,” we learned that God wants us to worship by renewing the covenant we made in baptism. This covenant brings together God’s acts of deliverance, his commands to us, and our commitment to him and each other sealed by a sacrifice and a meal. This worship is the Holy Communion celebrated by the church.  

7. In “Micah Three,” we learned that leaders, rather than seeking justice and righteousness, often use their position to acquire wealth and to dominate others. Further, many people give themselves over to immoral living and drunkenness. We, in our churches, our communities, and our nations, have not been the leaders God requires, nor have we worked with leaders in ways that bring justice and mercy.

8. In “Isaiah Five,” we learned that the people of God were violating the covenant in their use of land. They added house to house and field to field, leaving their neighbors without the land and work God intended for them. We also have given ourselves over to greed, refusing to use our resources according to God’s purposes and not using our time and strength in productive work.

9. In “Amos Five” we learned that we go to the Lord’s house to worship, but we do not keep his commandments nor honor his covenant. Rather than vain worship, God seeks justice and righteousness.

10. In “The Righteous King,” we learned that Jesus is a righteous king who restores covenant relationships. He lifts up the afflicted and needy by his forgiveness, his healings and deliverance from evil spirits, and his enabling people to work and help each other. He feeds people with his body and blood, and his Kingdom will have no end.

11. In “Jeremiah Thirty-One,” we learned how God gives us a new heart through his Son, Jesus. He does this by Christ’s atoning work on the cross and his forgiveness, and we learned how to help each other receive this new heart by prayer and the laying on of hands.

12. In “Isaiah Fifty-Three,” we learned again that Jesus bore the sin of the world, our misuse of land and work, our failure to be true leaders and followers, and our inclination to give in to sin and the devil. We poured out our hearts to God, that he would lay upon Jesus the suffering and sorrow of our souls, our churches, our communities, and our world. We believed that God has placed all these things upon Jesus, and by his mighty resurrection, is making all things new.

Let us end this lesson with a prayer.

O great and living God, we thank you that by your mighty power you have revealed to us how we should live in your Kingdom, and sent your Son that this Kingdom might come upon earth as in heaven. Empower us, we pray, that we might follow your commands and live according to your promises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In our next lesson we begin our study of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have brought us back together again. We thank you for each other and for your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that you may pour out upon us the power of your Spirit, that we may give glory to the sufferings of your Son, and by his sacrifice intercede for our sins and those of the world. All this we ask in Christ’s name. Amen.

There is some debate within the Christian community as to who wrote Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Some say it is the Isaiah who began his ministry 740 years before Christ. We studied this prophet in the lesson entitled “Isaiah Five.” Others say the first 39 chapters of Isaiah were written in 740 before Christ, but that the chapters 40 onward were written later, after the people of the Southern Kingdom had been taken captive into Babylon in 597 before Christ. These later prophecies were added to the earlier prophecies to form the book of Isaiah. Whenever this part of Isaiah was written, both groups of Christians believe that Isaiah 52:13-53:12, as well as the prophecies in chapters 40-55, apply to a time after the people of Israel had been carried off into captivity in Babylon.

Among other things, chapters 40-55 of Isaiah proclaim that God will deliver his people from Babylon and bring them home to Jerusalem. The words of the prophet were fulfilled, and in the year 537 before Christ, a number of the exiles returned home. They were able to do so because the Lord used the Persians to defeat the Babylonians. After he had conquered Babylon, the king of Persia, Cyrus, gave the people of Israel permission to return home and rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem. The return of the people and the rebuilding of the city can be found in the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah. These books bring us close to the end of the Old Testament.
Chapters 40-55 of Isaiah not only proclaimed the deliverance of the people of God from Babylon, but also a new work of God. Until then, it was commonly believed that God’s blessings would be given through the establishment of a kingdom like the one God created by the deliverance from Egypt, the conquest of the Promised Land, and the giving of the law. God did do these things, and a kingdom of law is closer to God’s will than kingdoms of arbitrary power. As the people of God suffered in Babylon, however, the prophet of Isaiah 40-55 realized that God could work even more profoundly through suffering, suffering for the sake of others. This is clearly seen in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, and for this reason, this passage has always been understood by Christians as pointing to Christ who suffered for us on the cross. It also tells us that God uses our suffering for the sake of his Kingdom. For the moment, we will end our study of the Old Testament with Isaiah 52:13-53:12. This passage looks forward to the New Testament, to the savior who fulfilled its prophetic words.

Before reading the following, please read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 aloud at least twice.
In a previous lesson, “The Cross and Resurrection,” we understood Isaiah 52:13-53:12 as referring to Jesus. We described Isaiah’s words as referring to Jesus’ saving work on the cross and resurrection with these words,

According to Isaiah, the Lord Jesus was despised, rejected, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and punished that we might have peace. By his wounds we are healed. The Lord laid upon him the iniquity of us all. He was cut off from the land of the living, and in his death, he was assigned a grave with the wicked. He gave his life as a guilt offering, and he justified many by bearing their sins. He suffered these things, yet he was innocent. He had done no violence, nor was there deceit in his mouth.

After his suffering, he was exalted, seeing the light of life, his days prolonged, dividing the spoils with the strong and having a portion among the great. These lines refer to Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, his being seated at the right hand of God.

This passage from Isaiah helped us repent of our sins. We studied the Ten Commandments, and after we had made a list of our sins, we nailed them to the cross. We believed that we were forgiven. We saw that Jesus died in our stead, that he forgave us from the cross. We believed that “by his wounds we are healed,” that “he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,” and was “punished that we might have peace.”

Since we first studied Isaiah 52:13-53:12, we have deepened our understanding of God’s purposes for us and for all people. Let us review what we have learned so that we may see, ever more clearly in light of Isaiah 52:13-53:12, what God has done for us.

A Review

1. In our lesson, “God Creates the World,” we learned that God created all things good, that there is only one human race, and that God wants all people to be blessed with the blessings of creation.
2. In our lesson, “Sin, Corruption, and Death,” we learned that all of us have disobeyed God’s commands. The result was the corruption, sorrow, and death that surrounds us. This disobedience was laid upon Jesus, and as we shall see in future lessons, in his presence the blessings of creation are restored to all people who come to him.
3. In God Chose a People,” we learned that God chose Abraham and his descendants, the people of Israel. Jesus was, above all, the descendant chosen to bless the world. We are spiritual descendants of Abraham, and in obedience to Jesus, we are called to be a blessing. We are not always a blessing, and our failure to bless others was also laid upon Jesus.
4. In our lesson, “Leadership,” we learned that God began to establish his Kingdom by commanding leaders to study God’s Word daily and to put it into practice. Leaders are not to use their positions to amass power and wealth, but as an opportunity for righteousness and justice. We also learned that we are to follow the godly leadership of those God has placed over us.
5. In “Land and Work,” we learned that God divided the land among the people, and provided laws that returned land to its original owners and cancelled debt. We learned that we, as followers of Christ, are to use our resources for the sake of our communities as well as our own needs.
6. In “Worship and the Covenant,” we learned that God wants us to worship him by renewing the covenant we made in baptism. This covenant brings together God’s acts of deliverance, his commands to us, and our commitment to him and each other sealed by a sacrifice and a meal. This worship is the Holy Communion celebrated by the church.
7. In “Micah Three,” we learned that leaders, rather than seeking justice and righteousness, often use their positions to acquire wealth and to abuse others. Further, many people give themselves over to immoral living and drunkenness. We, in our churches, our communities, and our nations, have not been the leaders God requires, nor have we worked with leaders in ways that bring justice and mercy. All these sins were placed upon Jesus who was crushed for our iniquities.
8. In “Isaiah Five,” we learned that the people of God were violating the covenant in their use of land. They added house to house and field to field, leaving their neighbors without the land and work God intended for them. We also have given ourselves over to greed, refusing to use our resources according to God’s purposes, and not using our time and strength in productive work. According to Isaiah 53:6, “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all,” which means that those who follow Jesus will be healed of their greed and laziness as they turn to him.
9. In “Amos Five” we learned that we go to the Lord’s house to worship, but we do not keep his commandments nor honor his covenant. Rather than vain worship, God seeks justice and righteousness. Our false worship and our failure to keep covenant was placed upon Jesus who died that we might live.
For the people of God described in the Old Testament, the consequences of sin were the loss of the land, and the destruction of the people, their cities, their places of worship, and their leadership. All this was the result of sin, and today’s world is no different. All around us we see the destruction wrought by sin: shattered families, warring communities and nations, impoverished peoples, ruthless rulers, and heartless greed. All this was laid upon Jesus, who, being God in the flesh, has the power to forgive these sins and make all things new for those who believe.

We are going to end this lesson, the last of our introductory lessons from the Old Testament, by pouring out our hearts to God. God has shown us how to live. He knows how to build a new people, the followers of Jesus, and he knows how to build communities and nations according to the rule of law in pursuit of justice. He is stricken by our sin, but he is not defeated. All has been laid upon Jesus, and in Jesus a new kingdom has dawned, a Kingdom that will have no end. We will learn of this Kingdom in the following lessons.

To help us pray, we will use the Great Litany. The Great Litany is very old, reaching back to the beginnings of the Christian Church, and perhaps even earlier, since its pattern is similar to Psalm 136. How shall we pray the Great Litany? One person is chosen to read the opening words of each set of lines. Then, once that is read, everyone else will respond with the words written in italics. It would be good to review this before you do it, so it can be prayed as reverently and fervently as possible. You may notice some phrases that are not familiar to you. Do not worry, we will learn all these things in due time. As you pray, think of your families, your church, community, and nation. Pour out your heart to God. Notice the words in the Great Litany, “By your Agony and Bloody Sweat; by your Cross and Passion; by your precious Death and Burial; by your glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of the Holy Spirit, …” These words reveal the profound mystery and wonder of the Christian faith, that God has laid on Christ the sins of the world. As you pray, ask God to forgive your sins and the sins of your church and community. Ask him to show you how your small group and church can be a blessing to your community. Let us pray, beseeching God for his mercy, and thanking him that sin and death has been placed upon Christ. As God hears this prayer, he will make real in our lives the power of forgiveness, healing our hearts, our lands, and our communities. Believe this. Intercede for the world. You are the hope of the world, commissioned by God to be a blessing, and the first step is to pray for this lost and broken world. As you pray, you may want to kneel and humble yourselves before the great and living God.

The Great Litany

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy upon us.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
Have mercy upon us.

Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word and commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and
unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.

By the mystery of your holy Incarnation; by your holy Nativity and submission to the Law; by your Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

By your Agony and Bloody Sweat; by your Cross and Passion; by your precious Death and Burial; by your glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of the Holy Spirit,
Good Lord, deliver us.

In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.

We sinners do beseech you to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please you to rule and govern your holy Church Universal in the right way,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to illumine all bishops, priests, and deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of your Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to bless and keep all your people,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to send forth laborers into your harvest, and to draw all mankind into your kingdom,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give to all people increase of grace to hear and receive your Word, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give us a heart to love and fear you, and diligently to live after your commandments,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you so to rule the hearts of your servants, the leaders of this nation and all others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to show your pity upon all prisoners and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give and preserve to our use the bountiful fruits of the earth, so that in due time all may enjoy them,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to inspire us, in our several callings, to do the work which you gave us to do with singleness of heart as your servants, and for the common good,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to preserve all who are in danger by reason of their labor or their travel,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to preserve, and provide for, all women in childbirth, young children and orphans, the
widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by strife,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with your presence those who are failing and infirm,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to have mercy upon all mankind,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sin, negligence, and ignorance; and to bless us with the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your holy Word,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to strengthen such as do stand; to comfort and help the weak-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to grant that, in the fellowship of all the saints, we may attain to your heavenly kingdom,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Son of God, we beseech you to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech you to hear us.

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Grant us your peace.

O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

The Lord’s Prayer
(Said by all)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

After the Litany is over, you may wish to continue praying, with and for each other. Let us end this lesson with a final prayer.

Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son’s Name: We beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers and supplications we have made to you; and grant that those things which we have asked faithfully according to your will, may be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In our next lesson we will review what we have learned thus far in our survey of the Old Testament.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

This lesson is a strong and important lesson. It may take two or three weeks to receive it into the heart. In this lesson we will learn that God has not only forgiven us, but even more, clothed us in the righteousness of Christ. This, as we shall see, is a great blessing, the highest possible honor, and the secret whereby we, even though we sin, can enter into the very presence of the living God and enjoy all the blessings of his sons and daughters. Let us begin this lesson with a prayer.

Oh Living God, we thank you that you have forgiven us of all our sins, reconciled us with you and one another, and healed us of our bitterness and sorrow. Now Father, help us to learn that we are not only forgiven, but even more, privileged to walk before you in righteousness all our days. Through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

In our previous lessons we studied how God has forgiven us by the sacrifice of his Son on the cross. We also learned how to forgive others, to put forgiveness in action, and how we can be healed of the hate, bitterness, and sorrow that comes from unforgiveness. As we learn to forgive, we are commanded to love one another as Christ has loved us. Here are Jesus’ words: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

As we are forgiven and healed of our vices and sorrow, we come closer to Christ and know him even more deeply. Then we discover that, although God is healing us and we are more able to love, we are still so very far from loving as Christ loved. In fact, we discover that we have deep-seated, sinful habits and tendencies that are often very, very difficult to overcome. Such things as anger, laziness, lust, and selfishness afflict us. We may have trouble doing our daily disciplines of prayer and Bible reading, or fail to properly carry out our daily responsibilities. Resentments may eat away at us, no matter hard we pray and get others to pray with and for us. We may be addicted to alcohol and other drugs. In time, we may wonder if we are ever going to be free of our sin, if we will ever love as Christ loved, or if we will ever lead holy lives. The devil will tempt us, telling us that we are not true Christians, that we will always commit sins, and that, in the end, God will turn his back us, leaving us without his grace and favor. We may even fall, and be so ashamed that we can scarcely admit our sin to another and receive forgiveness and help.

God, however, is not defeated by these things. He provides for everything. In fact, as we hold to Christ in spite of our sins, he looks upon us with great favor and rejoices in us. To help us see this more fully, we are going to learn about justification as explained by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. There we will discover that we are pleasing in God’s eyes if we believe in his goodness as revealed in Jesus.

This lesson from Romans is very important. You may need more than one meeting to pray about it and receive its message. Think about it. Read it out loud. Discuss it among yourselves. Pray about it. Ask God to let his light dawn in your hearts, for if you receive this, you will always be free.

Before reading from Romans, it would be good for us to know something of its author, the apostle, Paul. He was born a Pharisee, a Jewish sect that taught strict obedience to the Law. When young, he persecuted the followers of Jesus. Then, one day on the road to Damascus to seek out and imprison Christians, the risen Lord Jesus appeared to him. This event is narrated in Acts 9:1-19. As a result of his encounter with Christ, Paul devoted the rest of his life to following Jesus, dedicating himself to preaching the gospel. He founded a number of churches, and some of his letters to these churches are in the New Testament. Eventually, he wanted to travel to Rome to strengthen the Christians there, and after that, he intended to travel to Spain. In order to introduce himself to the Roman Church, he wrote them a letter. We will be reading portions of this letter, but first, let us briefly survey how this letter begins.

After an introduction, Paul tells the Roman Christians that he is not ashamed of the gospel, and it is this gospel he will explain in his letter to them. He goes on to say that the wrath of God has been revealed from heaven against the whole of the human race. Those with the Law, that is, the Jewish people, fall under God’s wrath because they do not keep the Law. Those without the Law do not recognize God’s power and glory from the things that God has made. Rather, they make idols and worship them and give themselves over to all forms of depravity. As a result, all persons, everywhere, are in the power of sin, subject to the judgment of God, and perishing beneath his wrath. What help is there for us? Let us now read Romans 3:21-28 and notice the following points.

Romans 3:21-28

1. Verse 21. There is a righteousness from God apart from the Law. This righteousness is the righteousness of Christ and receiving this righteousness is not the same as keeping the laws of God. Christ fulfilled the law. He was sinless, the only righteous one. All the rest of us do not keep the law, whether the laws of Scripture or the laws God has written in our hearts.

2. Verses 22-23. This righteousness comes to believers through faith in Jesus Christ, to all those who believe that he died for them. Everyone needs this righteousness, for all fall short of God’s glory. That is, all fall short of living a sinless life.

3. Verse 24. The word “justified” means at least two things: First, it means that God the judge has declared us “not guilty” since Christ suffered our penalty of death. This needs to be emphasized.  We are not guilty because the penalty for our sin has been paid, and therefore, we are  forgiven.  Second, “justified” means that we receive the righteousness of Christ. That is, in God’s eyes, we are accounted and considered righteous with the righteousness of Christ. This can be difficult to believe. Pray that God help you receive this as it is very, very important. We commit sins, but as we hold to Jesus, as we believe in his redemptive work, we are accounted, considered, and proclaimed righteous by God. He considers us clothed with the righteousness of Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). The word “redemption” comes from the slave market. We were slaves to sin, owned by the power of sin, but by his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus bought us back from slavery and set us free by giving us his righteousness.

4. Verse 25. God gave Christ as a sacrifice for our sin. Jesus died in our place. He atoned for us. His willingness to die for us was pleasing to God. God accepted Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. He turned away his righteous wrath and declared us forgiven, but more than forgiven.  God has decided that we have the righteousness of Christ as we hold to Christ.

5. Verses 26-28. His decision to account us forgiven and clothed with Christ’s righteousness is his justice. His justice is his verdict: “You are not guilty, you have the righteousness of Christ.” This justice is received in faith. That is, we do not look to ourselves, our own righteousness, or to our being able to keep the laws of God such as the Ten Commandments. Rather, we look to Christ, we hold to him, we claim him as our guarantee of God’s favor. As we hold to his atoning work before God, we have faith, and God is honored as we honor his Son by holding to him in faith. We do not have faith in our faith, we have faith in Jesus, faith that by his atoning sacrifice we are always, always in God’s favor. We need to  believe this, for by believing this we honor God, know his deep, abiding favor toward us, and are set free. We are free because we no longer have to fret over our sins or feel condemned. As Paul will say, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus …” (Romans 6:1).

Summary: We daily commit sins that separate us from God and arouse his judgment against us. No matter how hard we try, we never fully defeat our sins. These sins wound our hearts and the devil uses them to destroy us and our relationship to God. We can pretend we do not sin by ignoring God’s laws and our own conscience. We can look to ourselves and fight with all our strength against our sins, and thinking ourselves successful, claim that we are righteous. This will fail, for as Scripture says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Or, we can look to Jesus, hold on to him, fall before his cross, rely on him, thank him, and claim him as our righteousness. That is faith, having faith in Jesus Christ. As we do this, God looks with favor on us. He considers, regards, and accounts us righteous with the righteousness of Christ.

As we hold to Christ, we are clothed in his righteousness, even as we daily commit sins. We are both sinful and righteous at the same time, sinful by our own sins, but clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Then, wearing Christ’s festive garment, we are acceptable to God, favored and blessed. God esteems us, not because we have conquered our sins, but because we look to the one who conquered them on our behalf. As we look to Jesus, God lifts up our heads and honors us as his sons and daughters. Then, in the words of Paul, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

This, however, raises a question. If we are set right before God by holding fast in faith to Jesus’ sacrifice for us, if we receive his righteousness as a gift from God, why then should we struggle to lead a holy life? Why should we, for example, try to keep the Ten Commandments, or any of the many things that we are called to do as Christians? Before addressing that question, however, let us consider the following questions for discussion.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you have any sins that you cannot seem to overcome? Do you believe that God forgives you of those sins, and even more, that you are righteous and acceptable in his sight because of Christ’s sacrifice?

2. Has the devil ever entered your thoughts and accused you of things you do wrong, driving you downward, and never giving you peace?

3. When the devil accuses you, or you accuse yourself, or others accuse you, do you look to Jesus and thank him that he has made you righteous in God’s eyes? Do you believe that God’s high regard for you is more important than the devil’s lies, your own opinions, or the opinions of others?

4. Do you ever feel ashamed and guilty in front of other people that seem better than you? Do you ever feel inferior to other people because you lack their abilities, education, wealth, or social status? Do you believe that God favors you, that you are of great worth, that you are as loved and important as anyone else because of God’s love for you in Jesus Christ our Lord?

5. Do you ever condemn other people because they do not measure up, whether because they be immoral, or lazy, or not attractive, or poor, or irresponsible? Do you give to others the high regard that God has for you in Jesus Christ, even though you see their weaknesses? Are you able to treat them with love and acceptance, and when the opportunity presents itself, show them the better way of Christ Jesus? Do you pray for them?

6. Do you ever feel superior to other people because of your moral qualities, your education, or position? Do you realize that in God’s eyes your righteousness, the righteousness you earned by your own efforts, is as “filthy rags”? Are you willing to believe the words God speaks in Isaiah 64:6? “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”  Instead of feeling better than others, are you willing to accept that your only righteousness is the righteousness of Christ? 

As your small group discusses these questions, it would be good to pray together. Lift up your voices to God. You need his help. Pray for each other with the laying on of hands, beseeching the holy, living God to enable you to receive the righteousness of Christ that you may walk in newness of life and be free of all condemnation. Now, let us return to our previous question: If we have been set right with God because of the righteousness of Christ given to us as we believe in him, why do we need to lead holy lives? To address this, let us read Romans 6:1-14 aloud and consider the following points.

Romans 6:1-14

1. Verses 1-2. Here Paul asks if we should go on sinning since we have been forgiven and clothed in Christ’s righteousness. He emphatically says we should not since we have died to sin. This death to sin occurred when Christ died on the cross. Although the sin of the world killed the Lord Jesus, he rose from the dead and destroyed the power of sin. Sin continues, but it has been defeated, and its final defeat will be evident when Christ returns.

2. Verses 3-7. Paul now describes baptism, and we will discuss baptism more thoroughly in future lessons. For the moment, being baptized by water means that we enter into Christ’s death and resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ, and as we come out of the water, we belong to his resurrected life beyond the power of sin. We are dead to sin and no longer its slave. Therefore, since we have died to sin and been resurrected to the sinless life, we are to struggle against sin. It may, from time to time, defeat us for the moment. As we hold to Christ and struggle against sin, sin gives way, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. As this sin is defeated, we come closer to Christ, we know him better, and as we know him better, we understand that we still need to be justified, because sin, in this life, always lives in us, even as it is being defeated. By faith, however, holding to Christ, the final defeat of sin is certain, beginning in this life and fulfilled in the life to come.

3. Verses 8-11. All this is true because we belong to Jesus Christ. He died once, and sin died with him, and when he was raised from the dead, he entered the resurrected life beyond the power of sin. He is alive to God, and so are we because we are justified.

4. Verses 11-13. Here Paul clearly tells us that we should not allow sin to rule us. We must fight against it always, to the very end of our lives. Sometimes, this war is not difficult, although we must always be on guard. The things we have learned in these lessons, daily Bible study, prayer, helping each other, and holding each other accountable, will help you. At other times, the war can be very difficult. Nevertheless, as Paul will say in his letter to the church in Corinth, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

5. Verse 14. Here Paul says sin shall not be our master. We are not under law but under grace. By this he does not mean we are free to break the law. He means that we are set right with God by what God did for us in Jesus and not by fulfilling all the demands of the law. We are not capable of fulfilling all the demands of the law. For example, we do not always obey the Ten Commandments. We are, however, able to receive the gift of Christ’s righteousness by holding to him in faith.

Let us summarize: We are set right with God, with each other, and with ourselves because we have received the righteousness of Christ as we hold to the Lord Jesus in faith. We are also called to struggle against sin. Sin is being conquered in us as we repent, receive forgiveness, and are empowered by the resurrected Jesus. As God enables us to repent and receive forgiveness, we grow in love. Our sins still plague us, but even so, they are being conquered. Even as we conquer sin, we still sin, and therefore, we are always in need of Christ’s justifying work. We are sinful and justified at the same time. Since we are justified, we are free of condemnation even as we are plagued by sin. Nevertheless, as we struggle against sin, it crumbles before the power of God and our thankfulness. Slowly but surely, over a lifetime, we walk in greater newness of life, utterly blessed to know God, to follow Jesus, and to know the love of Christian brothers and sisters. These blessings are so wonderful that the daily struggle against sin is, by comparison, a light and momentary affliction.

Questions for Discussion

1. Have you had periods in your life where you had a hard battle against sin? Have you given up the struggle against certain sins?

2. Have there been periods in your life where the struggle has not been so difficult?

3. Has God helped you defeat certain sins, hate, bad habits, and bitterness, and have you received the peace and joy that comes from knowing God’s victory? Do you know others who have surrendered their lives to Christ, been delivered of sin and the devil, and received the joy of the resurrected life even in this life? 

4. Do any of you need the laying on of hands for prayer and healing as we learned it in previous lessons? Do any of you need to confess any sins and receive forgiveness?

A personal comment: When I first became a Christian, nearly forty years ago, it took me a year-and-a-half of brutal struggle against sin and the devil before I could experience any peace. I did everything suggested in these lessons, and more, as will be described in future lessons. It was another three years before I received any sense of the love of God for me.  I experienced this love after I learned that God justified me through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by relying on my own righteousness. Then, little by little, and over many years, God enabled me to work in his Kingdom. As we shall see, this Kingdom transforms everything into goodness, your life, your family, your community, and even the world. Working to bring about this Kingdom will bring you great joy.

In the beginning of the Christian life, the emphasis is often on being set free from sin and learning to walk in holiness of life. Once God has made some progress in healing your relationships with God and with those in your family, church, and community, he will begin to call you to work in his Kingdom. Then you will enter into the ministry that God has given you and fulfill the purpose for which you were created. The struggle against sin, and your need for justification, never goes away, but more and more, your emphasis will change, less on yourself, more on the utter joy of loving God and others and being loved by them. This is your inheritance. You can know God, walk with him daily, see Jesus face to face, hear his words, and enter into his glorious Kingdom. Let us end with a quotation from Paul and a prayer.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died more than that, who was raised to life at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39)

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross that we might be always acceptable to you through faith in his glorious sacrifice. Help us always to hold to him by faith, and struggle daily against sin, that we might see you face to face and know the love that conquers all. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

In the next lesson we will review what we have studied and prepare for a time of thanksgiving.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.

dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

In order to follow Jesus, we need to know something about him. Christians know who he is by reading the Bible, and the Bible is the Word of God that reveals Jesus Christ and everything we need to know in order to be saved.

Once you have a Bible, read Matthew 4:18-22. Notice three things. First, those who heard Jesus say “Follow me,” immediately left what they were doing to follow him.  Second, Jesus began by calling four disciples, and these formed the beginning of a small group who would walk daily with him. Third, if you were to continue reading Matthew’s gospel, you would discover that Jesus called other disciples, twelve in all, and these disciples walked with Jesus as he went through towns and villages proclaiming the Kingdom of God. This meant that they heard his teaching each day, saw his deeds each day, and conversed with him daily. A follower of Jesus begins to walk with him by doing these three things, deciding to follow him, joining with others who follow him, and finally, hearing his teaching, speaking with him, and witnessing his acts each day. Let us consider each of these three things in turn.

The first step is to decide to follow Jesus. In order to do this, you do not need to be a Christian. You do not need to believe that he is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Read, for example, Matthew 16:13-19. In this passage, Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was. They gave several answers, and then Peter proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, which means the one anointed by God to save. This awareness of Jesus as the Christ did not occur at once. Only after the disciples had followed him for some time did they know who he was, and even then, they did not know him fully. Therefore, regardless of who you are, you can take the first step which is to decide to follow him.

Many people have taken the first step of deciding to follow Jesus. Some have heard of him and were curious, others were healed or delivered of demons and wanted to follow him because they were thankful, others were in danger and cried out to him for help, and he helped them, others wanted to know God and found God in him, and others decided to follow him because of the testimony of friends. Jesus reveals God. He forgives, heals, makes friends out of enemies, protects, and many other things. You can discover the truth of this if you decide to follow Jesus.

If you are already a Christian, it is always good to recommit yourself to following him. As will soon become clear, this is a commitment we must make daily. So, regardless of who we may be, let us all commit ourselves to following Jesus. Let us pray this prayer out loud,

Risen Lord Jesus, I wish to know you and to follow you. Please reveal yourself to me so I may know your goodness and glory. Thank you for that great hope.  Amen.

Jesus will hear this prayer, and he will begin to answer it at once.

Forming a Small Group

The next step in following Jesus is to form or become a member of a small group. If you are a leader in your church, you will need to organize your church so that each person has the opportunity to be a member of a small group, usually no larger than twelve persons. If the group is larger than this, it is hard for all members to participate. If this is new to you, please pray and think about it, consult with those you trust, and if you have leaders over you, consult with them as well. You will discover that small groups will be a great blessing to your church. Most likely, not every person who comes to church will be willing to join a group, but all must be encouraged and given the opportunity. Jesus formed a small group of his disciples. The early Christians met in homes as small groups and in a central meeting place for worship (Acts 2:46), and among Christians today, small groups are the way to build a dynamic, living body of Christ. Ask the Lord to guide you in this matter. As these lessons unfold, it will become clear why small groups are so very, very important. Your people grow best as members of small groups, and these lessons are written to be used in small groups. As a leader, you will also need to be in a small group, one composed, for example, of other leaders in the church, those who can minister to you and give you good counsel as you lead the church. You will be blessed.

If you are a member of a church that does not have small groups, bring this lesson to your leadership and ask that members of your church be encouraged to form small fellowship groups. Once small groups are started, join one of those fellowship groups as advised by your church leaders.

If you are not a member of a church, ask Jesus to find a church for you. Pray for his guidance, and seek one where the members believe that Jesus is risen from the dead and doing the very things the Scriptures proclaim Jesus did in the days of his flesh. Join that church and ask its leadership about being in a small group.

If you know of no churches, continue reading your Bible, following this Bible study, and ask Jesus to help you find other Christians. Ask them if they would like to join with you to form a small group that is interested in following Jesus. If you find more than twelve persons, form two or more small groups, and all of you meet together on Sundays for worship.

As these groups are formed, it is good to have new Christians, or those who want to learn about Jesus, mixed in with more mature Christians. Also, work with the leadership to choose a leader for your small group, a person who is spiritually mature, respected, and capable. In this way, the more spiritually mature can help guide the other members. It is good for the leaders of the small groups to read these lessons in advance so they can help their groups apply them.

Once your group has formed, choose a time and place to meet. It is good to meet once a week. What does the Lord want to do in these small groups? He wants you to come together to help each other walk daily with Jesus. Let us see how this can occur, beginning with an outline of what needs to happen in your small group.

Those Who Walk Daily With Jesus

1. The disciples that followed Jesus in the days of his flesh were taught by him, and they spoke with him daily. If a person today is to walk with Jesus, they need to hear his teaching and speak with him daily. This happens by reading the Bible and by prayer. Your group will meet weekly, or more if need be, but when you meet, encourage each person in the group to spend time daily in a private place to read God’s Word and pray. As each of you prays daily, you will also need to pray for the members of your group, as well as other prayer needs you may have. Normally, the best time for most people to pray is early in the morning. It needs to be the time of day when you can be alone and are at your best. It is good to pray throughout the day, and at evening as well, but it is very important to set aside a specific time every day to pray and read the Bible. Jesus often went by himself to pray, and we must do so as well (Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12). Each group member needs to tell the group the time of day they have chosen to pray. Then, each time the group meets, the members can hold each person accountable for their daily prayer and study. Consequently, each time you meet, begin with prayer, and then check with the members of the group to make sure each of them is walking with Jesus by setting aside time every day to pray and read the Bible.

2. Group members are not only called to read and study the Bible daily in their homes, the group as a whole needs to study together at your weekly meetings. These lessons will help you study the Bible together. Set aside some time at each meeting to study these Bible lessons.

3. The disciples that walked with Jesus also saw his acts of power and love. Jesus forgave sinners, healed the sick, fed the hungry, cast out demons, confronted the hard-hearted, proclaimed the Kingdom by word and deed, associated with the poor and wretched, gave up his life for those he loved, and above all, enabled people to know the living God whose love has no end. At one time or another, you and other members of your small group will be broken-hearted, oppressed by the devil, poor, lonely, confused, sick, out of work, addicted, and needy. As this study unfolds, you will learn how to bless, heal, deliver, encourage, teach, guide, and help the other members of your group. They will do the same for you. That is why a small group is so important. Every member of the group will learn to minister to others. Therefore, some of your time together needs to be spent listening to each other’s needs, praying for each other, and working together to help each other.

As you learn to minister to each other, one rule is very important. Many people have embarrassing problems, matters that are private to them. Every member must pledge to keep what is shared in the group confidential. You cannot go around your community gossiping about your group members. Whatever is personal and private must be respected. If there is a very serious problem affecting the life of the church or community, bring the matter privately to the leadership of the church. Group members must understand that serious problems which affect the entire community, must be brought to the community’s leadership.

4. The disciples that walked with Jesus saw him helping those who were not members of their small group. You, as a small group, will be called to bless people outside your group, people in your church and community and beyond. You will learn how to pray for healing, how to help your community in terms of the necessities of life such as health care, work, food and water, how God wants you to be good citizens of your nation, how to evangelize, and so much more. As these lessons unfold, you will be encouraged at the right time, to reach out to your church and community. You may feel called to send out certain members of your group as missionaries to other places, near or far.

5. The disciples that walked daily with Jesus prayed together, and Jesus taught them how to pray. Each time you meet, you will need to devote some time to praying together, for God’s will, for healing and blessing, for direction, for each other, for your community, and more. Do not forget to pray for each other daily. God will teach you how to pray, and in time, you will discover what Jesus told his disciples in John 15:7-8, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” What a blessing to see God answering your prayers.

6. From time to time, you will need to set occasions for celebration, for social gatherings where you can enjoy each other’s company with food, conversation, singing, and rejoicing. Expressing love and celebrating together are great blessings, and the risen Lord Jesus will help you to rejoice together.

7. Finally, small groups will join with other small groups, the members of your church, to worship and fellowship together. If your small group belongs to a larger Christian body, and it needs to unless your small group is the beginning of a church, then you will need to be in contact with the leadership of your church. They are your leaders, and as will be seen, God calls all church members to work together under the leadership of those he has called to direct his church. You will want to be a positive force for good in your local church. Keep your leaders informed on the status of your small group. Seek their counsel on how your small group can be helpful to your church and community. Submit all major decisions, such things as community projects or adding new members and dividing to form a second group, to their leadership. Let your group leader be the one who will communicate regularly with your church’s leaders.

These are the goals of small groups. These goals are not easily achieved. As you meet in your small group, you will discover that sin, conflict, and trouble lives in each person. You will need to commit yourselves, not only to following Jesus Christ, but to your small group and to your church. You will need to persist in spite of setbacks, trouble, or conflict. You will learn how to forgive and ask forgiveness, to bless and be blessed, to encourage and be encouraged, to love and be loved. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and it is the highest possible blessing. Jesus taught this clearly. Here are his words to his small group of disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35). What a blessing to be in a small group of Christians who learn to love each other with the wonderful love of Christ.

This is the end of the first lesson.

Action Steps

1. Commit yourself to following Jesus.

2. Begin the process of forming a small group and join it.

3. Choose a meeting time, read together this lesson, and begin to put it into practice.

As you meet together for the first time, let each of you answer the following questions.

Questions for Discussion

1. Are you a Christian, and if so, for how long have you known Jesus Christ? What has he done in your life? How has being a follower of Jesus been a blessing in you life?

2. What needs do you have that you would like the group to pray for, both in the meeting and in their daily times of prayer?

3. What do you need to do to be a better follower of Jesus?

4. Are you committed to a daily time with God? When is the best time for you to pray and study the Bible? Will you pray daily for others in the group?

As a group you will need to decide when and where you will meet on a regular basis. Some of your members may need help getting to the meeting. Please make sure they can get there. Some members may not have Bibles or be able to read. Ask God to help you find Bibles, and find ways to help each member learn something from the Bible each day.

May God bless you as you begin the great adventure of following Jesus.  Let us end this lesson with a prayer.

Almighty God, whose will it is that we love and be loved by you, pour out upon us your grace that we may, even though beset by many temptations and obstacles, find the strength to follow your Son Jesus Christ in the company of those you love. For his sake we pray. Amen.

In our next few lessons, we will study one of the most important things that Jesus ever did, and that you can do, that is, to forgive.  Forgiveness is one of the greatest blessings that can ever come to you, and we are thankful that you can have this great privilege in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

O Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have given us new hearts in Jesus Christ the Lord.  Pour out upon us your grace that we may receive this new heart and thereby love you and each other forever.  In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

Jeremiah’s was born about 650 years before Christ in a little town called Anathoth about three miles North of Jerusalem. When still quite young he was called by God to be a prophet, and his prophetic career spanned nearly four decades, the years 626-587 before Christ.  These were terrible times for the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  The Northern Kingdom has been destroyed by the Assyrians in the preceding century, and although Judah was not destroyed, she had become a vassal of the Assyrians. Late the seventh century before Christ, the Assyrian empire began to collapse and the Babylonians came to power.   In the year 597, they overran Judah and carried many of the people into exile.  Then in 587, the Babylonians returned to Judah. They laid siege to Jerusalem, and after some months, broke into the city. They destroyed the city and burned the temple to the ground. They slaughtered a major portion of the populace, and, along with the wealth of the city, carried many others into Exile. Only the poorest of the people were left behind. Jeremiah was one of them.

Early in his prophetic career, before the Babylonians had conquered Judah, Jeremiah spoke the words of the Lord to the people.   He called the people to repent of their violations of the covenant.  He warned them that unless they repented, they would surely be destroyed.   The people, leaders, priests, and false prophets rejected Jeremiah’s message.   His warnings proved true.  The Babylonians destroyed the Southern Kingdom.  The people of God were scattered, and only the poorest remained in the land.  After God’s judgment had fallen upon the people, God gave Jeremiah a new word.  This word was a word of hope, and it is found in Jeremiah 31:31-34.  Let us read this passage aloud at least twice and answer the following questions.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

1. When will this new covenant take place?

2  With whom will God make this covenant?

3. When did God make the first covenant, and what did he do for them in those days?

4. What do you think it means when God says he was a husband to Israel and Judah?

5. What will God do for the hearts of minds of those who receive the new covenant?

6. What, in your view, are some of the wonderful things about having a covenant relationship with God and being one of his people?

7. Verse 34 is not saying that we should not teach each other, but only that everyone who enters into the new covenant will know God.  What do we need to do in order to know God?

8.  Thinking back over the first lessons we learned, how do you know that God will forgive your wickedness and remember your sins no more?

The Old and the New Covenant

In this section we will discuss some of the differences between the new covenant made in Christ Jesus and the covenant God made with his people when he “took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt.”  We studied that covenant in the lesson entitled Worship and The Covenant.  In future lessons, we will study these differences more fully.  Please consider the following points.

1.  As we have seen, under the old covenant, the Passover Lamb, as well as the blood of bulls and goats, were sacrificed to atone for human sins.    Hebrews 10:4 states, however, that ” … it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  Jeremiah 31:34, however, looks forward to a time when God :will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”  The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin since only a sinless human life can atone for human sin.  Further, only God can forgive sins.  As we learn more fully later, God was in Christ, acting and speaking as Christ acted and spoke.  Therefore, God acted to forgive us as Christ gave his life for us upon the cross.  Unlike the old covenant, the new covenant fully dealt with sin, so that those who believe in Jesus can have their sins completely forgiven.

2.  According to Jeremiah 31:33, God proclaims that “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”  How is that possible?  How does God write his law in our hearts?  In a previous lesson, The Cross and Resurrection, we read Luke 22:7-24:49, the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.  In another lesson, Forgiving and Being Healed, we learned how to pray for one another, placing our suffering upon Christ.  As we read these passages, as we forgave others, as we prayed for one another and placed upon Christ, the abuse, blows, and insults we have received, we were healed.  As we did these things, God wrote the person of Christ in our hearts and minds.   Christ is the law of God in the flesh.  He fulfilled the law, and as we read and receive Christ, God writes his law in our hearts.  This is not a single event.  It is a process, a process that takes place over a lifetime.  As we study Christ more fully, as we read how he lived and died, as he becomes more and more real to us, he becomes the center of our thoughts and the passion of our hearts.  As this happens God is writing the Lord Jesus in our hearts and minds, and as he does, the new law of love in Christ will be in us forever.   In that way Jesus Christ fulfills Jeremiah 31:33.

3. In Jeremiah 31:32, God declares that his people “broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, … “  Due to the fact that Israel did not keep covenant with God, God judged them with the Assyrian and Babylonia invasions.  Under the new covenant, however, God does not judge us with death.   He judges Jesus with death for our sake.  He acquits us and clothes us with the righteousness of Christ, even as we violate the covenant.  For, as we learned in Clothed in Christ’s Righteousness, we are set right, justified, accepted, and forgiven by faith in Jesus Christ.

In these three ways, the new covenant fulfills and completes the old covenant.   What a glorious covenant we have in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Action Steps

1.  As described in the first lessons, when a person first begins to truly follow Jesus Christ, they are heavily laden with sins.   Are you, as a group, still engaged in the process of a life review in which you repent of all past sins, offering them one by one to God and each other for forgiveness?  If not, please do so.  There is no need to continually repent of the same sin over and over.  Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit works to reveal sins that are often hidden in our hearts.   If we follow Jesus, we will become aware of them.  These need to be confessed and forgiven and we need to help each other in this process as described in the lessons, The Ten Commandments, The Cross and Resurrection, and Forgiveness.

2.  In our lesson, Forgiving and Being Healed, we learned how to offer the sins committed against us to God for his healing.  This is not a one-time event.  As a person follows Jesus, God continues to reveal resentments, bitterness, and unholy attitudes buried in our hearts.  As these become clear to us, we are called to forgive those who did us wrong, and to offer our resentment and bitterness to Christ for healing.  We can help each other do this by listening, by encouraging each other to forgive, by pronouncing Christ’s forgiveness, and by laying hands on one another and praying the sufferings of Christ for them.  Is your small group still engaged in that process?  This is one of the easiest things to omit, but it is so important, for as we do this, God writes the new law of love in your hearts and minds.

Do not be surprised if you are reluctant to do the above two action steps.  There is often resistance.   In the name of Christ, conquer you resistance, defeat the devil, help each other surrender all to God.  Let us say the following together.

In the mighty name of the risen Lord Jesus, we resist all inclinations to pull back from our sins and resentments, we refuse all temptations of the devil, and we insist on receiving the new law of love in our hearts.  In Christ’s name we proclaim this.  Amen.

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

As these things happened, many believed that God had permanently deserted his people.  God, however, spoke to his people, promising them that one day he would restore his kingdom.  On that day, God would make them a new people and heal them of the sin that led to their destruction.

Before reading and discussing this week’s lesson, however, let us review the questions that we first introduced at the beginning of this series of lessons.

Where did we come from?  We came from God who created us, and we are also descendents of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ.  Who are we?  We are people of the covenant, a covenant with God and each other.  Where are we now?  We have violated the covenant, not kept its laws, and apart from God’s mercy, are subject to God’s judgment, the very judgment that fell upon Israel and Judah for their violations of the covenant.   What must we do?  We must repent and seek the forgiveness God has given us in Christ Jesus.  Where are we going?  Because of our sins we are going to die, but in Christ, by his sacrifice on the cross and received by faith, we are going to live eternally with God.  What else must we do?  We may gladly given thanks that God has sent a mighty savior to die in our place.

Let us not forget to spend time with one another, encouraging one another, and sharing what is happening in our lives.  Perhaps there is someone new to your group.  Before you begin this lesson, perhaps it would be a good time to introduce yourselves, share something of your life, allow the new person to share something about themselves, and welcome them into the group.  Also, there may be needs or struggles that need your help and prayer.  Let God bring you close to him and each other in love.  Forgive each other if there has been any conflict or misunderstandings.   God is good, and he is so thankful that you are working together to walk in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus.  Let us begin this lesson with a prayer.

O great and living God, we give you thanks that you have not left us like sheep without a shepherd.  Pout out upon us your Spirit that we may see ever more deeply into the wonder of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 72

Our lesson for this week is psalm 72.  As we have seen in past lessons, leadership is of great importance in God’s Kingdom.   For that reason, Scripture pays great attention to kings.   Among the kings mentioned in the Bible, David was certainly one of the greatest.  As described in our lesson, Micah Three, he lived about 1000 years before Jesus.  He conquered a large territory and established a powerful kingdom.  Jerusalem was his capital, and once the nation was secure, David decided to built a temple to the Lord.  Until that time, God had been present with his people in the Tent of Meeting, a tent the people carried with them in the desert as they journeyed from Egypt to the land promised to Abraham.  God, however, told Nathan the prophet that David was not to build him a house.  David’s son, Solomon, would do that.  Rather than David building a house for God, God was going to build a house for David, that is, God would establish David’s rule forever.   This meant that a descendent of David would always reign over God’s people.  This prophecy can be found in 2 Samuel 7.  Jesus was a descendent of David, and he is the one who now reigns over the people of God.  For as Paul stated in 2 Timothy 2:8-9:  “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.”

Descendents of David reigned for many years in Jerusalem, and as a new king came to the throne, the people prayed that he would be a righteous king.  One of those prayers was psalm 72, quite possibly recited when a new king came to the throne.  In spite of God’s many blessings, however, many of these kings were not righteous.  They often led the people astray.  For that reason, the people of God longed for a righteous king, just as people today long for just and righteous leaders.  This is true of all people everywhere.  No king but Christ, however, is righteous.  For that reason, in this lesson, we will learn how Jesus Christ fulfilled the hope of Psalm 72.

In past lessons, we have often read portions of Scripture and then answered questions to help us discuss what we have read.  For this lesson, psalm 72 will be read in blocks of verses, and for each block, it will be shown how Christ fulfilled the verses of that section.  As you read these comments, take time to discuss what you read as ideas occur to you.  Please begin by reading psalm 72 at least once aloud, and then read the verses given below aloud, as well as the comments that follow them.  Then, if you wish, discuss what you think about the verses and comments you have just read.

1.  Verses 1-3:  In these verses the people ask that their king act justly, that he bring justice to the afflicted and righteousness to the people.  In a past lesson, Amos Five, we learned that a righteous person is one who restores covenant relationships.  Jesus was righteous because he restored us to God, to each other, and to ourselves by his death on the cross.   He manifests his justice by judging us not guilty of our sins as we repent of them.  From the cross he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  Jesus did many other righteous things, and as he did them, we receive them like blessings from the mountains and hills as God gives the rains in their season.

2.  Verse 4:  One of the ways that Jesus defended the afflicted and saved the children of the needy was by his miracles of healing and casting out demons.   He healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:22-28), he healed the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:40-42), and he cast a demon out of a desperate man’s son (Mark 9:17-27).  On another occasion, Jesus defended a woman whom others condemned (Luke 7:36-50), he honored a man who was hated by coming to the man’s house for dinner (Luke 19:1-9), he associated with sinners and prostitutes and lifted up the lowly.  In many, many ways Jesus defended the afflicted and saved the children of the needy.

3.  Verse 5:  Jesus Christ is raised from the dead.  He lives, he conquers, and in the end, his kingdom will overcome the world.  “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever’” (Revelation 11:15).

4.  Verses 6-7:  Anyone, any group of people, who hear and obey the words of Jesus will discover that his words are like “rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.”   Then, as you put his teaching into practice and receive his righteousness by faith, you will discover that the “righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.”  You will be greatly blessed as you keep his words.  In a future lesson we will discuss the meaning of the word “prosperity” more fully.  As we shall see, this word includes the privilege of suffering for Christ’s sake.  God will, however, meet all your true needs.

5.  Verses 8-11:  As we have seen, the Old Testament kingdom was established by the escape from Egypt, covenant and law, and a violent conquest of the land promised to Abraham.  An important difference between this Kingdom and the Kingdom established by Jesus is that Jesus did not kill those who opposed them.  Rather, he gave up his life on the cross for his enemies.   Verses 8-11, therefore, are not fulfilled by anyone licking the dust at Jesus’ feet.  Rather, his Kingdom is established by his love for us.  Our hearts are his tribute, verse 11.  The gift Christ receives is our very selves.  Today, this very minute, people from every nation and tribe love and serve him, verse 12, because he died for them in love.  There will come a time, however, when Jesus will execute judgment against those who persist in doing evil.  Here are his words, referring to himself as the Son of Man.

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.   Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear (Matthew 13:41-43).

6.  Verses 12-14: The gospels are full of stories where Jesus delivers the needy, where he takes pity on the weak, and rescues the helpless from oppression and violence.  As it says in Matthew’s gospel, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

7. Verse 15: In regard to Jesus, “long may he live,” is true, and further, as seen in point five, the gold and blessings he receives is our loyalty and love.

8.  Verses 16-17:  When the king is a righteous king, when he keeps covenant, the Lord considers his obedience and blesses those  who follow him.  This is certainly true of Jesus since we are forgiven and justified by his blood.   One of the those blessings is material prosperity, abundant grains and fruits as described in these verses.  Jesus fulfilled these blessings in three ways.  First, he feeds us with his body and blood in the Holy Communion, giving us the very life of God.  This is our spiritual food.  Secondly, there are times when Christ has miraculously fed people, as he fed the five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fishes (Luke 9:12-17).   Thirdly, and this is how God normally works to bless people materially, Jesus reconciles us to each other.  He teaches us how to treat each other justly, especially in regard to land, work, and employment.  He enables us to work hard and to work together.  As these things occur, we are blessed materially.  We studied this in our first lesson on Land and Work.

9.  Verses 17-19:  These verses are a fitting ending to this beautiful psalm.  The name of Jesus will last forever, as long as the sun endures.  All nations are being blessed by him and call him blessed.  In light of these great blessings, our only response is to end this lesson with the ending of the psalm.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

Let us praise the Lord!!!

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.
dr.sanders@globalanglican.org