Salty and Bright

Matt 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 5:15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

1. Intro – Have you ever tried to feed a moth? Mayflies and many varieties of moth have no usable mouth or digestive system. So – don't think they are being rude or finicky. After maturity, they seek the swarm of similar mayflies mate and then die – all within a few hours. Frequently American Christians exhibit the same life cycle. We spend our lives looking for wholeness in a world of brokenness and, having found it, we ensconce ourselves within a “safe” church with other like-minded mayflies and submit to spiritual death. Jesus cautioned against this behavior in today's text, Matt 5:13.

   1. MANY USES OF SALT:

   2. flavor enhancer – mangoes, apples

   3. preservative – keep things from spoiling – moral disinfectant.

   4. rare to see salt – except focaccia, pretzels, etc but you can taste it!

   5. Salt loses its saltiness in soup the second day

2. Contact – putting a light under a bowl does more than hide it it KILLS the flame.

   1. Isolation – biggest danger to the American church. World Church is growing, American church – not so much – WHY? Different gospel? Different methods? Different audience?

   2. U.S. evangelical leaders are especially downbeat about the prospects for evangelical Christianity in their society; 82% say evangelicals are losing influence in the United States today, while only 17% think evangelicals are gaining influence. Pew research

   3. In the developing world, the members live among those in need of Jesus' loving attention – in the US, we can Isolate ourselves – so we do.

      • Sabbath school class and trying to convert other Christians.

3. Contrast in Conduct – Academic v. Citizenship grades

   1. NOT BY DECLARATION

• John 3: 17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

• John 16:8 When [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

• There are many passages in the New Testament that confront sin and talk about how inappropriate it is. But As far as I know, every one of those passages is addressed to those within the church and deals with the issue of sin in the church among believers. They do not reproach unbelievers for their sin. Rather, they plead with them to accept forgiveness if they recognize they need it.

1. what we say

• Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.

1. what we do – Look down the row left and right forward and backward – who do you see? Proud, mean-spirited, adulterous, assaultive, hateful, narrow-minded, stingy people . . . . whom God is transforming into his personal army of holy, apostles.

   • In a moving tribute to Fred Rogers, Jonathon Merritt recounts how Rogers chose to reform society through his gentle and persistent influence on a children's television show.

   • In 1965, a thin, soft-spoken man sauntered into Pittsburgh's WQED, the nation's first public television station, to pitch a show targeting young children. The concept was simple enough: convey life lessons to young children with the help of puppets, songs and frank conversations. It doesn't sound like much. That is, until you realize that the man was Fred Rogers, and the program was Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

   • But Rogers was more than a great neighbor or good host; he was a restorer. According to Gabe Lyons in The Next Christians, a "restorer" is someone who views the world as it "ought to be." Faced with the world's brokenness, restorers are "provoked, not offended." They work to make the world a better place by "creating, not criticizing" and by "being countercultural, not relevant." Using this definition, Rogers may be one of the greatest American restorers of the 20th century.

   • Rogers got into television because he "hated" the medium. During spring break of his senior year in seminary, he encountered television for the first time and what he witnessed repulsed him. "I got into television," he recounted, "because I saw people throwing pies at each other's faces, and that to me was such demeaning behavior. And if there's anything that bothers me, it's one person demeaning another. That really makes me mad!"

   • In the wake of WWII …., [Fred Rogers] worried that the type of programming that was becoming normative would create a generation of emotionally-bankrupt Americans. Faced with the decision to either sour on television itself or work to restore the medium, he chose the latter. He dropped out of seminary and began pursuing a career in broadcasting. Fourteen years later, he would create one of the most beloved American television shows of all time, and one that would shape entire generations of children.

   • Rogers was a devout Christian that almost never explicitly talked about his faith on the air, but the way his show infused society with beauty and grace was near-biblical …. "You've made this day a special day by just your being you," he'd famously sign off. "There is no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are."

   • In many ways, the lasting legacy of Fred Rogers will not be the greater emotional stability of generations of children or even a reinvigoration of imagination. It will be his example of how to restore the world through impassioned creativity and craftsmanship. For nearly four decades, Rogers entered our homes and entered our hearts. And each day without fail, he left our collective neighborhoods better and made our days a little bit more beautiful.

2. how we live – Are we different from the world? Are you different from how you were? Have you been behaving in ways that make sense to unbelievers?

3. how we love – They will know

   • I John 3:16 We have come to know love by this: that Jesus laid down his life for us; thus we ought to lay down our lives for our fellow Christians.

   • John 13:34 “I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.”

1. Confess

   1. Give glory to Father in Heaven – What do you call a person who lives in DC and has a big house north of the white house and is sent by and works for another country... Ambassador or Spy

      • 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 God ... gave us the ministry of reconciliation: … We are Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

   2. Have a testimony

2. Conclusion – what would our church look like if we rubbed elbows with the NEEDY?

   In his book The Gospel According to Jesus, Chris Seay mentions a profound lesson he learned from his father about loving the "bad people":

Growing up, we didn't have a lot of money, so we used to get outfield deck seats (aka "the cheap seats") to see the baseball games at the [Houston] Astrodome. Most of the people buying the cheap seats did so to save more money for beer. After the first few innings, they were drunk, and by the time the seventh-inning stretch rolled around, there would be beer mixed with peanut shells on the floor, spilled beer down your back, and a brawl two rows over and back to the left. It was ugly out there. As a kid, I learned from a lot people that we were sitting with the "bad people."

There was one consistent drunk fan named Batty Bob. He was a self-proclaimed Houston Astros mascot. He'd come to all the games wearing a rainbow wig, and he'd lead slurred cheers in the stands. I remember one time my dad went out to sit and talk with Batty Bob. He spent the whole game with Bob, then walked him out to the parking lot to bring him home with us. I was more than confused, because this guy was one of the "bad people."

When we got home, my dad came to me and explained how God loved Batty Bob. I remember thinking, Really? Batty Bob? And he stayed with us for a few days to get back on his feet. This is when I started to realize that God did not despise these people; he dearly loved them.

Are we hiding out in here? Is the work of the church here? Or there?

1. Intro

2. The important role of Blessing

   1. temporal blessings

      1. grace/unmerited

         • Gen 1:27 God created humankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply!

         • Gen 12:1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father’s household to the land that I will show you. 12:2 Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing. 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name.”

      2. for God's Glory

   2. future redemptive blessing – Jesus

      • Gen 22:15 The Lord’s angel called to Abraham a second time from heaven 22:16and said, “‘I solemnly swear by my own name,’ decrees the Lord, ‘that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,22:17 I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be as countless as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the strongholds of their enemies. 22:18 Because you have obeyed me, all the nations of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another using the name of your descendants.’”

3. Dangers of self-blessing

   1. Nature of true blessing – Internal state

      1. billionaire on a desert island

      2. rule the world by texting one way

   2. Electric utility about to disconnect

   3. Drug addiction

   4. Getting the blessing by shortcut and self

4. Jesus' penultimate and ultimate blessing

   1. the giver of the blessing – what if Billy Graham, Ellen White, Jacob/Israel, God, were to bless you?

      • Matt 19:13 Then little children were brought to him for him to lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded those who brought them. 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 19:15And he placed his hands on them and went on his way.

   2. The CYCLE of the beatitudes

      1. poor in spirit, get the kingdom of heaven.

      2. those who mourn will get comforted.

      3. the meek will get the earth.

      4. those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will get satisfaction.

      5. the merciful, they will get mercy.

      6. the pure in heart will get to see God.

      7. the peacemakers will get to be called the children of God.

      8. those who are persecuted for righteousness already have the kingdom of heaven.

         • you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me – Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven.

      9. Recognition of poverty causes mourning making one meek and hungry and thirsty for righteousness and after receiving the grace of being filled with righteousness and mercy one will show mercy and will be graced with heart purity. The pure in heart will be persecuted for righteousness and people will insult them and persecute them and say all kinds of evil things about them falsely on account of Jesus

   3. the Ultimate blessing – Eternal life with Jesus in Heaven

5. Conclusion

   1. Accepting blessings

      1. recognizing them

         • I am beginning to feel that we need a preliminary act of submission not only towards possible future afflictions but also towards possible future blessings. I know it sounds fantastic; but think it over. It seems to me that we often, almost sulkily, reject the good that God offers us because, at the moment, we expected some other good. – C. S. Lewis

      2. gratefulness

   2. giving blessings

      1. Full, prayerful, loving attention

      2. physical touch

      3. faith

6. May the God who loves you as his own dear children Bless you with heart wholeness and heart holiness. May the creator of the universe create in you complete peace and complete joy. May our Savior rule in your life and in your family and fill you with His urgency for the those who need more of His love and grace.

blessed are the Poor in Spirit

1. Introduction – False Advertising – Indian Buttermilk – remember the “FREE” 35mm camera promotion?

   1. Have you ever gotten less than you expected? – how about more? Kindle 1 & 2

   2. How about different? Bill's Tamarind Popsicle

      • Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to proclaim good news to the poor, to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners, 61:2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,

      • Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 4:19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 4:20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 4:21 Then he began to tell them,“Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read.”

• Proverbs 6:16 There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who spreads discord among family members

2. Blessed

   1. “Happy”

      1. Shallow

      2. from old English happenstance

   2. “Rewarded” leaves out JOY

   3. “Deeply satisfied and joyful with the approval and reward of God.”

      1. are you deeply satisfied and joyful with the approval and reward of God?

      2. Do you Possess today the confidence that you are:

         1. Poor in Spirit

         2. in possession of the Kingdom of Heaven

3. Poor in Spirit

   1. Two Greek words for poor

      1. Poor

      2. On your knees begging for crumbs, poor

   2. In Spirit

      1. Spiritual poverty by recognition – Make a spiritual account survey – Net worth check. BANKRUPT!

      2. Spiritual poverty by renunciation –

         • Isaiah 64:5 You assist those who delight in doing what is right, who observe your commandments. Look, you were angry because we violated them continually. How then can we be saved? 64:6 We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind. 64:7 No one calls out to your name, or rouses himself to take hold of you. For you have hidden your face from us and handed us over to our own sins.{and you caused us to melt in the hand of our sin.} 64:8 Yet, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

   3. From glowing to bereft in 10 minutes or less

• I Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me,and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
  4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

• THAT'S BEREFT!!!! But God rewarded it!

• Job 38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 38:2 “Who is this who darkens counsel with words without knowledge? 38:3 Get ready for a difficult task like a man; I will question you and you will inform me! 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

1. Matt 6:24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation already.

1. Only an empty cup can be filled – It is said we have a Jesus-shaped hole in our soul – but we try to cram lots of stuff in there that doesn't fit.

1. I'm not religious but I'm very spiritual

2. Jesus only offers his grace to those who know they have nothing to add

• Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1. MIQ - THE ONLY RIGHT ANSWER IS: Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.

1. Kingdom of Heaven

   1. Timing of the Kingdom

• Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased {or, has already chosen} to give you the kingdom.

• Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

• John 18:33 So Pilate went back into the praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked him,“Are you the king of the Jews?” 18:34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?” 18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 18:36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But now my kingdom is not from here.” 18:37 Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth hears my voice.” 18:38 Pilate asked, “What is truth?”

1. Treasure of the Kingdom –

   1. Why do people com to The US from other nations?

   2. I had 2 clients inherit family businesses. One was a product-oriented business that left him striving every weekend at trade shows around the country selling orders and ultimately destroying his marriage and leaving his family divided. The other received a business that was in the process of being sold for $27,000,000.00

   3. For the treasure-

      • Matt 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field, that a person found and hid. Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had and bought that field. 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 13:46 When he found a pearl of great value, he went out and sold everything he had and bought it.

   4. The treasure of the kingdom is Jesus.

1. Conclusion

We had a discussion of the age of the Torah at the class tonight. see this:

http://www.hanefesh.com/edu/How_old_Torah.htm

http://www.allabouttruth.org/when-was-the-bible-written-faq.htm

Bible Overview

I remember the 1^st time I read through the bible and got confused when Mark started telling the same story I'd just finished in Matt?!?!?!?

We all have a basic understanding of God’s Word, but it's easy to get lost as to how it's put together. We are going to get to know GOD's WORD as a total entity... and learn better to LOVE the WORD and find our way around in it.

Looking for God’s Heart

His loving care, His consistency correction, His persistence. CONSISTENT, PERSISTENT LOVING

THE BIBLE

Word of God

Orientation: (Write: Title & subtitle in box provided on Student Sheet)

Taste the Supernatural! The Psalmist declared that the words of the Lord are pure - purified seven times (perfect) and sweeter than honey (Ps. 12:6 and Ps. 119:103). Later, David, elaborating on this perfection, declares that His commandments are sure, right, pure, true and righteous. (Read: Ps. 19:7-11)

19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect

and preserves one’s life. 21

The rules set down by the Lord 22 are reliable 23

and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. 24

19:8 The Lord’s precepts are fair 25

and make one joyful. 26

The Lord’s commands 27 are pure 28

and give insight for life. 29

19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right 30

and endure forever. 31

The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy

and absolutely just. 32

19:10 They are of greater value 33 than gold,

than even a great amount of pure gold;

they bring greater delight 34 than honey,

than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.

19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there; 35

those who obey them receive a rich reward. 36

To the ancient Hebrew, of course, the Law (first five books of the Old Testament) was synonymous with God’s word, since the remainder of the Bible was not yet written.

(Draw: cloud & balloon.

Read: II Pet. 1:20-21)

II Pet. 1:19 Moreover,58 we 59 possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. 60 You do well if you pay attention 61 to this 62 as you would 63 to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star 64 rises in your hearts. 65 1:20Above all, you do well if you recognize 66 this: 67 No prophecyof scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination,68 1:21 for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse;rather, men 69 carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Bible, God’s written word, is a miracle book. God has magnified His word (promise) (Ps.138:2).

138:1 By David.

I will give you thanks with all my heart;

before the heavenly assembly 2 I will sing praises to you.

138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple,

and give thanks to your name,

because of your loyal love and faithfulness,

for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky. 3

Heaven and earth will pass away; His word will not (Matt. 24:35).

24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away,but my words will never pass away. 5

Peter states emphatically that the Scriptures were not man-inspired but Spirit-inspired.

A. Written to “Earth People.”

(Draw: figure of man & outline of book.

Read: II Tim. 3:16-17)

3:14 You, however, must continue 20 in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know 21 who taught you 22 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 3:16 Every scripture 23 is inspired by God 24 and useful for teaching, for reproof, 25 for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 that the person dedicated to God 26 may be capable 27 and equipped for every good work.

While probing space for life on another planet may be interesting, we who inhabit the earth have the “Manufacturer’s Manual.” God’s word, handed down through the ages in various forms, was carefully preserved for us by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Supernatural Book.

(Draw: bookmark. Write: “1600 Years”, “40 authors”,“3 languages”,“1 Theme”, & “Bestseller”)

The Bible is a miracle book—written over a span of 16 centuries by 40 different people in three different languages: yet, it has one central theme: God’s plan of salvation.

Although the Bible is one book, one history and one story, it is also a “Library” of 66 books. Paul told Timothy that knowing how to “divide” the word of truth is important for spiritual growth (II Tim. 2:15).

2:14 Remind people 24 of these things and solemnly charge them 25 before the Lord 26 not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. 27 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 28

(On this illustration you will see all 66 books listed. The names of some books are abbreviated to fit into the space.)

(Write: following words in bold as they are discussed)

1. “Old Testament, New Testament.” Knowing basic Bible divisions can help us keep Scriptures in context. The Bible is divided into two major sections: Old Testament and New Testament.

2. “Law.” It is helpful to know subdivisions of the Bible as well. The first of these subdivisions is “The Law” (or Pentateuch). Most Bible scholars believe Moses wrote these five books.

3. “History.” The next group of 12 books is frequently referred to as “History.” These books summarize the nation of Israel as they enter the Promised Land, rise in power, fall to their enemies because of sin, their exile and the beginning of their restoration.

4. “Poetry.” Some of the Scriptures are written in poetic style and referred to as “Poetry” or “Wisdom Literature.” These books are considered classic literature by both religious and secular scholars. The practical wisdom contained in this section addresses the problems common to people.

5. “Prophets.” Chronologically, both major and minor prophets actually speak during the previous historical period. Prophet personalities ranged from statesman to farmer, freeman to slave. The prophets spoke boldly to the kings and leaders of their time concerning God’s judgment upon sin, His compassion for repentance and His promise for the future. “Major” and “Minor” refer to the volume of writing, not to the importance of their message.

6. “Gospels.” The first four books of the New Testament, “the Gospels,” record the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each of these books was written from a different perspective, but as a composite present a powerful, dynamic picture of our Savior. As the Hebrew writer declares, Jesus is “The express image of His (God’s) person” (Heb. 1:3).

1:1 After God spoke long ago 1 in various portions 2 and in various ways 3 to our ancestors 4 through the prophets, 1:2 in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, 5 whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. 6 1:3 The Son is 7 the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by hispowerful word, 8 and so when he had accomplished cleansingfor sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 9 1:4 Thus he became 10 so far better than the angels as 11 he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

7. “History.” The title “Acts” is an abbreviation for “Acts of the Apostles.” Some have said this book actually describes the acts of the Holy Spirit. “Acts” records the history of the church, from its birth in Jerusalem, to its dispersion throughout the known world. Much of this book focuses on the life and teachings of the Apostle Paul, a great proponent of the Gospel of Christ.

8. “Letters” As mentioned above, most of the letters (or “epistles”) were written by the apostle Paul. However, other apostles authored some of these books also. Some of the letters are written to churches, others are to individuals.

9. “Prophecy.” It is full of symbolic, graphic expressions containing warnings, exhortation and hope for the future. A fitting conclusion, Revelation describes the second triumphant coming of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

C. Supernatural Sword.

1. (Draw: sword.

   Read: “Eph. 6:17”)

   Eph. 6:10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 6:11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes 21 of the devil. 6:12 For our struggle 22 is not against flesh and blood, 23 but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, 24 against the spiritual forces 25 of evilin the heavens. 26 6:13 For this reason, take up the full armorof God so that you may be able to stand your ground 27 on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 6:14 Stand firmtherefore, by fastening 28 the belt of truth around your waist,29 by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 6:15 by fitting your 30 feet with the preparation that comes from the good news 31 of peace, 32 6:16 and in all of this, 33 by taking upthe shield 34 of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation 35 and the sword 36 of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

3. The second vital part of God’s armor, with which Christians are to be equipped, is clearly described as “the word of God.” With this weapon Jesus soundly defeated Satan (Luke 4:4-13)

Luke 4:4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man 12 does not liveby bread alone.’” 13

4:5 Then 14 the devil 15 led him up 16 to a high place 17 and showed him in a flash all the kingdoms of the world. 4:6 And he18 said to him, “To you 19 I will grant this whole realm 20 – andthe glory that goes along with it, 21 for it has been relinquished22 to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. 4:7 So then, if 23 you will worship 24 me, all this will be 25 yours.” 4:8 Jesus 26 answered him, 27 “It is written, ‘You are to worship 28 the Lord29 your God and serve only him.’” 30

4:9 Then 31 the devil 32 brought him to Jerusalem, 33 had him stand 34 on the highest point of the temple, 35 and said to him,“If 36 you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,4:10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerningyou, to protect you,’ 37 4:11 and ‘with their hands they will liftyou up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”38 4:12 Jesus 39 answered him, 40 “It is said, ‘You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.’” 41 4:13 So 42 when the devil 43 had completed every temptation, he departed from himuntil a more opportune time. 44

, and the same power belongs to every believer. God’s word is powerful!

2. (Draw: spark on man’s chest.

   Read: “Heb. 4:12)

   4:12 For the word of God is living and active andsharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 4:13 And nocreature is hidden from God, 14 but everything is naked andexposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

3. The word of God is a sword, yes even sharper than a two-edged sword...an inward “voice” that helps us separate thoughts and intents of the heart, soul and spirit. Once implanted, it is a powerful catalyst for change (Jas. 1:21)

   James 1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! 21 Let everyperson be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 1:20 Forhuman 22 anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 23 1:21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly 24 welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 1:22 But be sure you live out the message anddo not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. 1:23 For ifsomeone merely listens to the message and does not live it out,he is like someone 25 who gazes at his own face 26 in a mirror.1:24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediatelyforgets 27 what sort of person he was. 1:25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there,28 and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives itout – he 29 will be blessed in what he does. 30

4. .

500. Supernatural Food.

1. (Draw: slice of bread.

   Read: Deut. 8:3,

   8:1 You must keep carefully all these commandments 1 I amgiving 2 you today so that you may live, increase in number, 3 and go in and occupy the land that the Lord promised to your ancestors. 4 8:2 Remember the whole way by which he 5 has brought you these forty years through the desert 6 so that he might, by humbling you, test you to see if you have it within you to keep his commandments or not. 8:3 So he humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you with unfamiliarmanna. 7 He did this to teach you 8 that humankind 9 cannotlive by bread 10 alone, but also by everything that comes from the Lord’s mouth. 11

2. Luke 4:4)

   4:4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man 12 does not liveby bread alone.’” 13

3. Both Moses, describing God’s miraculous provision in the wilderness, and Jesus, in combating His wilderness opponent, proclaim God’s word as essential for survival.

4. (Read: Deut. 17:18,

   DEUT. 17:18 When he sits on his royal throne he must make a copy of this law 23 on a scroll 24 given to him by the Levitical priests. 17:19 It must be with him constantly and he must readit as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and observe all the words of this law and these statutes and carry them out.

5. Josh. 1:8

   Joshua 1:7 Make sure you are 10 very strong and brave! Carefully obey 11 all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep! 12 Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful 13 in allyou do. 14 1:8 This law scroll must not leave your lips! 15 You must memorize it 16 day and night so you can carefully obey 17 all that is written in it. Then you will prosper 18 and be successful. 19 1:9 I repeat, 20 be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, 21 for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.” 22

6. & Ps. 1:1-2)

   1:1 How blessed 2 is the one 3 who does not follow 4 the advice 5 of the wicked, 6

or stand in the pathway 7 with sinners,

or sit in the assembly 8 of scoffers! 9

1:2 Instead 10 he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’scommands; 11

he meditates on 12 his commands 13 day and night.

1:3 He is like 14 a tree planted by flowing streams; 15

it 16 yields 17 its fruit at the proper time, 18

and its leaves never fall off. 19

He succeeds in everything he attempts. 20

7. God, through Moses, Joshua and David, reinforces our need to stay in His word. Memorizing and meditating helps us to keep repeating the word until it becomes our first response in times of need.

E. Supernatural Light.

1. (Draw: light encircling man’s feet.

   Read: Ps. 119:105)

   Psalm 119:105 נ (Nun)

   Your word 137 is a lamp to walk by,

and a light to illumine my path. 138

119:106 I have vowed and solemnly sworn

to keep your just regulations.

119:107 I am suffering terribly.

O Lord, revive me with your word! 139

119:108 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise! 140

Teach me your regulations!

119:109 My life is in continual danger, 141

but I do not forget your law.

119:110 The wicked lay a trap for me,

but I do not wander from your precepts.

119:111 I claim your rules as my permanent possession,

for they give me joy. 142

119:112 I am determined to obey 143 your statutes

at all times, to the very end.

1. The world is getting spiritually darker with each passing generation. Some decadent signs are blatant, many are subtle. Only God’s unchanging standard word can provide light that exposes sin and gives us safe footing.

2. (Draw: dotted-line “brain” on man’s head.

   Read: Heb. 10:16)

   Heb. 10:12 But when this priest 12 had offered one sacrifice forsins for all time, he sat down at the right hand 13 of God, 10:13where he is now waiting 14 until his enemies are made a footstool for his feet. 15 10:14 For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy. 10:15 And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us, for after saying, 16 10:16 “This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days,says the Lord. I will put 17 my laws on their hearts and I will inscribe them on their minds,” 18 10:17 then he says, 19 “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no longer.” 20 10:18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

   God promises that in these last days He will write His laws on the hearts and minds of those who embrace His covenant. His Spirit has been given to lead us into all truth (John 16:13).

John 16:12 “I have many more things to say to you, 28 but you cannot bear 29 them now. 16:13 But when he, 30 the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide 31 you into all truth. 32 For he will not speak on his own authority, 33 but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you 34 what is to come. 35 16:14 He 36 will glorify me, 37 because he will receive 38 from me what is mine39 and will tell it to you. 40

4. (Read: Col. 3:16)

Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ 18 dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace 19 in your hearts to God. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

God’s word is planted “richly” in our hearts and minds as we teach and admonish one another. We accomplish this planting in a number of ways: singing hymns and spiritual songs...meditating in and memorizing His word. Only as we are filled with His word can we know His will for our lives.

F. Supernatural Seed.

(Draw: tree & heart.

Read: Luke 8:11-15)

8:11 “Now the parable means 36 this: The seed is the word of God. 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who have heard;then the devil 37 comes and takes away the word 38 from their hearts, so that they may not believe 39 and be saved. 8:13 Those40 on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, 41 but 42 in a time of testing 43 fall away. 44 8:14 As for the seed that 45 fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but 46 as they go on their way they are choked 47 by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, 48 and their fruit does not mature.49 8:15 But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing 50 the word, cling to it 51 with an honest and good 52 heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance. 53

Jesus said the word of God is a seed which, if planted in good soil (a sincere heart), will produce good fruit.

G. The Living Word.

(Draw: Starburst.

Write: “Luke 24:27, 44")

LUKE 24:25 So 64 he said to them, “You 65 foolish people 66 – how slow of heart 67 to believe 68 all that the prophets have spoken! 24:26 Wasn’t 69 it necessary 70 for the Christ 71 to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”24:27 Then 72 beginning with Moses and all the prophets, 73 he interpreted to them the things written about 74 himself in all the scriptures.

LUKE 24:44 Then 111 he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me 112 in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms 113 must be fulfilled.” 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures, 114 24:46 and said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ 115 would suffer 116 and would rise from the dead on the third day, 24:47and repentance 117 for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed 118 in his name to all nations, 119 beginning from Jerusalem. 120

With all of its magnificent beauty and creative power, the written word cannot give eternal life. Jesus is the Living Word. From the beginning, “All things were made through Him.” In Him was life and is life (John 1:1).

JOHN 1:1 In the beginning 1 was the Word, and the Word was with God, 2 and the Word was fully God. 3 1:2 The Word 4 was with God in the beginning. 1:3 All things were created 5 by him, andapart from him not one thing was created 6 that has been created. 7 1:4 In him was life, 8 and the life was the light of mankind. 9 1:5 And the light shines on 10 in the darkness, 11 but 12 the darkness has not mastered it. 13

The Pharisees who virtually worshiped God’s word, missed the climax of His message. They tried to achieve eternal life from the written law. Jesus

explained to them (and to us) that the Scriptures only point to Him (John 5:39).

John 5:39You study the scriptures thoroughly 67 because you think in them you possess eternal life, 68 and it is these same scriptures69 that testify about me, 5:40 but you are not willing to cometo me so that you may have life.

(This is why you will find the “Good News Starburst” shown throughout the “The Picture-Smart Bible!” Old Testament curriculum.) Every book in the Bible reveals Jesus.

1. Why can Christians “die” without a regular diet of God’s

word?

2. Discuss how the life of a nation is affected by the king (or

president) who follows Deut. 17:18.

3. What are some of the indications that our world is getting

spiritually darker?

4. In what way is the word of God “sweet”?

5. How do we “fight” the enemy with God’s sword (the word)?

6. How does God write His law on our minds and heart?

7. Memorize Col. 3:16.