tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86469236573737877932024-03-13T18:14:42.835-04:00International Sunday School Lessons CommentaryInspirational Thoughts and Devotions
Plus Commentary on The International
Sunday School LessonsBurgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-10873659243034695622009-07-17T18:46:00.001-04:002009-07-17T18:46:00.451-04:00"God Calls People to Special Service" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />For Week Ending July 19, 2009</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To explore the meaning of ordination within the ministry of the baptized<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text: </span>Leviticus 8:1-13 (NRSV)<br /><br />Leviticus 8:1-13<br />(1)The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: (2)Take Aaron and his sons with him, the vestments, the anointing-oil, the bull of sin-offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; (3)and assemble the whole congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting. (4)And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. When the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting, (5)Moses said to the congregation, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded to be done.’<br /><br />(6) Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward, and washed them with water. (7)He put the tunic on him, fastened the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He then put the decorated band of the ephod around him, tying the ephod to him with it. (8)He placed the breast piece on him, and in the breast piece he put the Urim and the Thummim. (9)And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden ornament, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses.<br /><br />(10) Then Moses took the anointing-oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. (11)He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the basin and its base, to consecrate them. (12)He poured some of the anointing-oil on Aaron's head and anointed him, to consecrate him.(13)And Moses brought forward Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, and fastened sashes around them, and tied head-dresses on them, as the Lord commanded Moses.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><br /></div><br />Two important things to remember when you read this passage is the way the first verse begins and the way the last verse ends. It was the Lord that was in command of this service of ordination.The other interesting aspect of this service, is it was done after the erection of the tabernacle and after Aaron and his sons had been performing these tasks for a long period of time. The ordination comes closer to the end than the beginning of Aaron's reign.<br /><br />So what was the purpose of the ceremony? I think God was trying to instill in the nation of Israel a couple of truths. First, they themselves had been called by God to be priests to the rest of humankind. And they will be a priestly nation, that is the priest will teach them the commandments and teachings of God. If they obeyed there would be no need for a king or other secular leader. God wanted them to be a holy nation.<br /><br />The same is true of His Church today.The Church of Jesus Christ is called to bear witness to the rest of humankind that being a Christian should make a difference, just as the nation of Israel was a testimony to the rest of the nations that were neighbors and enemies. We as Christians are called to be a priestly witness to both our neighbors and our enemies. A priestly witness or holiness living does not mean being an overbearing snob. Our call is to connect everyone with Christ, point everyone to Christ, a priestly witness should reflect Christ; when they look at you they should see the reflection of Christ in you.<br /><br />The one commandment that seems to be the most ignored is the last commandment of Christ, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“go and make disciples”</span>. This is exactly the same point the Lord was trying to make to the nation of Israel at this most pious and holy ceremony. It would be almost impossible to witness this ceremony which lasted for seven days, and not be impressed with the holiness of the Lord, and the call to separate yourselves as a nation and as individuals to the ministry that the Lord wants to share with the rest of the world.<br /><br />One thing I have no explanation for is the “Urim and “Thummin” that were placed in the breastplate. Over the years I have read and heard many explanations, but none have satisfied my curiosity. We know it was used in special circumstances to help in making decisions.<br /><br />How can we better serve the mission that we have been called to fulfill? Why was this ordination service conducted in front of the entire congregation? What do you think is the best way to share God's mission in the world?<br /><br />For a special blessing, please watch <a href="http://www.burgesswalter.com/Diapositive%201/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"The Great Physician."</span></a> It is a wonderful slide show that demonstrates how God can use each of us to share God's mission to the world.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5oUnPwuSBHu-m9Whqo0FTacRgJ6mOs35GvPArM14KTDVslajgyn7p3AJmcBaU2aL2celvW1qkeEhiOKM0QKk8Aze2RvJE4PzVr6D1fZaDxXaqUq7BPDF8eTUSvGtCbbr3G9cdZIN6pTR/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5oUnPwuSBHu-m9Whqo0FTacRgJ6mOs35GvPArM14KTDVslajgyn7p3AJmcBaU2aL2celvW1qkeEhiOKM0QKk8Aze2RvJE4PzVr6D1fZaDxXaqUq7BPDF8eTUSvGtCbbr3G9cdZIN6pTR/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358817460303742322" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-45295335789777144822009-07-09T10:39:00.000-04:002009-07-09T10:39:00.254-04:00God Calls People to Remember Sunday School LessonInternational Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending July 12, 2009<br /><br />Purpose: To experience the power of sacred memory expressed in ritual in shaping our life together as God's people.<br /><br />Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 16:1-8 (NRSV)<br /><br />Deuteronomy 16:1-8 NRSV<br />(1)Observe the month of Abib by keeping the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night.(2)You shall offer the Passover sacrifice to the Lord your God, from the flock and the herd, at the place that the Lord will choose as a dwelling for his name. (3)You must not eat with it anything leavened. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it—the bread of affliction—because you came out of the land of Egypt in great haste, so that all the days of your life you may remember the day of your departure from the land of Egypt. (4)No leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory for seven days; and none of the meat of what you slaughter on the evening of the first day shall remain until morning.(5)You are not permitted to offer the Passover sacrifice within any of your towns that the Lord your God is giving you. (6)But at the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name, only there shall you offer the Passover sacrifice, in the evening at sunset, the time of day when you departed from Egypt. (7)You shall cook it and eat it at the place that the Lord your God will choose; the next morning you may go back to your tents. (8)For six days you shall continue to eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a solemn assembly for the Lord your God, when you shall do no work.<br /><br />My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /><br />Memories are an important part of life, not just our spiritual life, but our family life as well. In this passage God is re-teaching the meaning of Passover and how he wants His people to celebrate and remember it.<br /><br />In our house there are special holidays that we celebrate as a family; those are primarily Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. By far the most memorable is always our Christmas Eve celebration. Because of what has happened in the past, and what happens each year it has become a very special holiday for our family. We no longer have all the excitement that comes from young children or grandchildren, nor is it all about the presents anymore. Now it is about remembering when our children and grandchildren were much younger, and enjoying the food and sharing stories of Christmas past. The house is always decorated like it was many years ago, the food consists of at least one special dish for each individual, maybe a cookie, a pudding, cake, shrimp, or chocolate fountain, or fondue. Everyone is looking forward to their special annual treat. But the thing that makes it so special is that in a family, which is now about twenty or so people, is this is one time when pettiness and sniping cease, and we truly enjoy the moment, maybe it is because of the Christmas spirit, that everyone makes a special effort to tolerate and enjoy a family get- together. It normally ends with a midnight Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church, not everyone can make that, but those that do enjoy that time of remembering.<br /><br />I am convinced no matter how old my children and grandchildren get, the Christmas eve celebration will always be remembered.<br /><br />That is sort of what God wanted from the people He had called out of Egypt. He wanted them to remember that night some forty years prior when He brought them out of slavery and into a promised land. In the Christian world today probably Passion Week, would be similar to the Passover celebration. We begin with Palm Sunday, and go through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter morning. Each service has special meaning, and gives us the opportunity to remember what Christ went through and the ultimate victory that was achieved on that glorious resurrection morning. We are also called to remember through Communion services, baptismal remembrances, and confirmation services.<br /><br />When one studies the Old Testament and the different Holy days that God commanded for His people, you can really get a sense that God knew His creation was going to need times of celebration. He established three very important Holy days. In addition to the Passover, He established the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles; three distinct Holy days to mark the passing of time with God's saving work. God's creation needs time to pause and reflect, relax, and enjoy the presence of God in their lives. We must also continue to celebrate the rituals that have been designed for each of the special days we set aside to remember. The rituals are what separates us from the rest of the world, and gives testimony that we worship the Creator God, the Loving God, and the Redeeming God.<br /><br />Are there old rituals you would like to restore, or new rituals you would like to see created? Why are rituals so important to our faith community?<br /><br />Please visit "<a href="http://www.burgesswalter.com/ThePrayer/index.html">The Prayer</a>". The slide show was sent to me by a friend, to share on my website and blog. Both the photos and the words are beautiful and truly moving. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP5kOpsdpETI9mb9Cby1FlEsDrDTJK9Lb5b6WNtQY_A57CftBOpthzOvZE7XXhsDAEmDtxgkq6HOk3k5_VPw-OUWoUhCHzoI9GE3HKAMacn53kCLqThm5j2BrklvyPjfg3DGUHv7WFGg/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP5kOpsdpETI9mb9Cby1FlEsDrDTJK9Lb5b6WNtQY_A57CftBOpthzOvZE7XXhsDAEmDtxgkq6HOk3k5_VPw-OUWoUhCHzoI9GE3HKAMacn53kCLqThm5j2BrklvyPjfg3DGUHv7WFGg/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355728818526570418" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-594498329916291102009-07-02T17:27:00.000-04:002009-07-03T11:24:02.068-04:00"God Calls People to Covenant " Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending July 5, 2009<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose: </span>To receive God's law as a gift and commit ourselves to holy living for the sake of God's mission in the world.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text: </span>Deuteronomy 5:1-9, 11-13, 16-21 (NRSV)<br /><br />Deuteronomy 5:1-9, 11-13, 16-21<br />(1)Moses convened all Israel, and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I am addressing to you today; you shall learn them and observe them diligently. (2)The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. (3)Not with our ancestors did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today.(4)The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the fire. (5)(At that time I was standing between the Lord and you to declare to you the words of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:<br /><br />(6) I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; (7)you shall have no other gods before me.<br /><br />(8)You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (9)You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents,to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me,(11) You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.<br /><br />(12) Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. (13)For six days you shall labour and do all your work.<br /><br />(16) Honour your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.<br /><br />(17) You shall not murder.<br /><br />(18)Neither shall you commit adultery.<br /><br />(19)Neither shall you steal.<br /><br />(20)Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor.<br /><br />(21)Neither shall you covet your neighbor's wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor's house,or field,or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><br /></div><br />This is the second time Moses shared the Ten Commandments with this community of people. The first time was some forty years earlier, shortly after he had led the children of Israel out of Egypt by way of the Red Sea. The first giving of the law took place approximately fifty days after the angel of death passed over those that painted their door post with the blood of a lamb, sparing the first born of all that followed God's command. We often think of Pentecost as a New Testament event, but it was really a celebration of the giving of God's law on Mt. Sinai, approximately fifty days after the original Passover. It is no coincidence that the second Pentecost involved the giving of the Holy Spirit, because it would be by the Holy Spirit that this new generation of believers would receive the same comfort, grace and assurance that the original giving of the law provided to that first generation at Mt.Sinai<br /><br />The children of Israel have been lost in the desert for forty years and they are about to cross over the Jordan River into Canaan. A whole generation has died since they originally received God's law at Mt.Sinai. Moses is restating for this new generation what happened at Sinai, and trying to instill in them the responsibility they have, to respond to the grace, that God has shown them.<br /><br />There are those that look at God's law as being impractical, too hard to follow and too restrictive on ones life. The flip side of that is; if we follow that law we have increased our probability of happiness, security and prosperity. In today's world you do not have to look very far to see the unhappiness and disappointment that comes from disobeying God's commandments. Our politicians are making news all the time and offering all sorts of alibis and apologies, as well as showing remorse and repenting, for their acts. Unfortunately it does not just happen to politicians and other celebrities; it also happens to everyday to people just like us.<br /><br />The Ten Commandments are not just a one sided set of rules, for any society or community or even our own marriages to survive there must be rules. As adults we impose rules on our children, not out of anger, but out of love. God did the same thing, He knew where the trouble would come from and He tried to help us, by giving us some very specific rules. He wanted our response to come out of our gratitude for what He has done for each of us, just as He wanted this generation of this new community he had brought out of slavery from Egypt to respond,by following these Ten Commandments.<br /><br />Some how we have been led astray thinking it is for God's sake that we are to obey, but it is for our sake that we have been given this guidance, and it comes from God's grace and not His anger. The one sure way we have of accomplishing all that God wants us to accomplish, is by being obedient to his law. In the same way, God wanted this community of people to show they had received something special from God, by just following these Ten Commandments. Certainly all of the world would take notice, if they followed these rules and accepted them as, what was best for them, in their relationships within the community and the family.<br /><br />God wants us transformed from the inside out, just as Jesus promised for us at Pentecost. We can take that transformation into our daily lives, and live as we have been instructed, or we can ignore that transformation and face a constant struggle in our witness and testimony. Just as Moses addressed that generation at Mt. Horeb, the Holy Spirit speaks to this generation, and is calling each of His children to be obedient, to set themselves apart from the rest of the world, to live to a higher standard. And God knows what is best for each of us, Samuel said “obedience is better that sacrifice” I imagine there are a few governors, as well as Wall Street moguls, that agree.<br /><br />How does your life stack up with what people expect from you? The old hymn calls for us to “press on to higher ground”, are you pressing on to a higher plain?<br /><br />God shows his love by showing us the way we can live the happiest and most effective for Him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZWzeV89VC-_jua2mEXTURa3rqkY3mQseEdu6TYz9YhYqq7mCnpDqOZcRcVG8Chb51xOQ3pa9o-L9JgQPt97lAuWt52qYGSxtUBKAhMWFJGs_Hoq0LmjIMjhN2Lf8n9XNuf1MV2RW7Q8/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZWzeV89VC-_jua2mEXTURa3rqkY3mQseEdu6TYz9YhYqq7mCnpDqOZcRcVG8Chb51xOQ3pa9o-L9JgQPt97lAuWt52qYGSxtUBKAhMWFJGs_Hoq0LmjIMjhN2Lf8n9XNuf1MV2RW7Q8/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353112322940856834" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-2550759646220888522009-06-25T18:08:00.000-04:002009-06-30T09:33:10.120-04:00God Calls the People Out of Egypt Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending June 28, 2009</span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To step out of fear into a robust faith in God who guides, protects and delivers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Exodus 14:15-25, 30 (NRSV)<br /><br />Exodus 14:15-25, 30<br />(15) Then the Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.(16)But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. (17)Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. (18)And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh,his chariots, and his chariot drivers.’<br /><br />(19) The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. (20)It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.<br /><br />(21) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. (22)The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. (23)The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. (24)At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. (25)He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’<br /><br />(30) Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size: 130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /></span></div><br />Suppose you were God, and you wanted to teach the whole world a lesson about your power, your love, your grace and your holiness; what could you possible do that would make an impression for thousands and thousands of years?<br /><br />This story is a possible fulfillment of just such a plan. First you call a special people to worship you and you call them by faith to go to a land that you will show them. Then through a series of circumstances this whole family ends up in Egypt, and multiplies into a group of diligent, hard working people that know they have a special calling and have practiced circumcision to separate themselves from the rest of the world. One of them was even raised in the court of the most powerful ruler in the entire world. This special tribe of individuals is united by the persecution and the forced labor that is imposed on them. Then the opportunity comes to gain their freedom, but it would mean leaving all that they knew, and the security of being protected from outside forces by a government they despised.<br /><br />We should understand that God knew exactly who he was dealing with, in Pharaoh. Pharaoh was not impressed by the great I Am, of the Israelites, Pharaoh considered himself a god. It took the “Great I Am” a series of plagues that would make the Egyptian god's seem powerless; from the locust to the boils each was shown as powerless when compared to the “Great I Am”. Finally through obedience and faith, Pharaoh said “go”.<br /><br />Now what final act would be appropriate for all time, for all the nations of the world both then and now; what amazing and miraculous feet would be next?<br /><br />It is possible to sense that God actually taunts Pharaoh into changing his mind and start chasing this large multitude of people he had just sent away. Now the tension builds as this large multitude of people find themselves between the most powerful army on earth and the Red Sea. There is no way this comes out with a happy ending or teaches anybody anything, except, be content in whatever circumstance you find yourself. But God has a plan, and this plan involves some faith and trust, on the part of the Israelites. Do you think God would have had any takers if He revealed this plan to this tribe of people before the fact? Here is the plan you go toward the Red Sea, and when you get there you raise your staff and stretch out your hand and I will part the Red Sea so you can all walk across on dry ground, and then I will destroy the entire Egyptian army by letting them drown and I will cause the wheels on the chariots to seize up and they will go around in circles. One other thing I will do is put a pillar of fire between you and the Egyptian army, so that they will know it is the “Great I Am” that is fighting for you, and saving you, from the most powerful army in the world.<br /><br />This story would be the story of redemption for the Israelites for the next fourteen hundred years, until a new plan would be revealed, whereby everyone could be saved by the same grace and faith experienced by those faithful followers on that historical day.<br /><br />God's plan for redeeming His people has not changed, it is still His grace and our faith, that he has given each of us, that sets the wheels in motion for us to have a relationship that will cause Him to fight for us,to protect us and to nurture us, when we are obedient to His call, we do not need to yield to fear, but to step out in faith and He will guide, protect, and deliver us, just as He did on “that day”.<br /><br />What would it take for you to let go and let God have His way in your life? What enemies are chasing you? I love the unbelievers prayer “O'God, if there is a God, save my soul, if I have a soul”. I think that is about where the Israelites were, they did not have a lot of options. Maybe that is where you are? He will fight for you too.<br /><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPIhNGiT38U8aHKa3h6h8dvgEJ3q7Jy3oEupgjZn5yaWPJDwCLf-wYLycz8Yi4VOYVQi4_ADsRy_K7Qr-JddYulgy5ZqukNKeSawaqqyXsSto2pMGa66zQKyLyM2kWXuYsRaKnnkjzdld/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPIhNGiT38U8aHKa3h6h8dvgEJ3q7Jy3oEupgjZn5yaWPJDwCLf-wYLycz8Yi4VOYVQi4_ADsRy_K7Qr-JddYulgy5ZqukNKeSawaqqyXsSto2pMGa66zQKyLyM2kWXuYsRaKnnkjzdld/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350502873145768626" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-1607259794203917412009-06-18T17:40:00.000-04:002009-06-23T01:46:24.814-04:00"Pharaoh Ignores God's Call"-Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending June 21, 2009</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To recognize and accept that God's authority takes precedence over all competing authorities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Exodus 5:1-9, 22-23, 6:1 (NRSV)<br /><br />Exodus 5:1-9, 22-23<br />(1)Afterwords Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.” (2) But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.’ (3)Then they said, ‘The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword.’ (4)But the king of Egypt said to them, ‘Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labours!’ (5)Pharaoh continued, ‘Now they are more numerous than the people of the land and yet you want them to stop working!’ (6)That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors, (7)‘You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves.(8)But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, “Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.” (9)Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labour at it and pay no attention to deceptive words.’<br /><br />(22)Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? (23)Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people.’<br /><br />Exodus 6:1<br />(1)Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.’<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /></span></div><br />T. S. Eliot wrote these words; <i style="">“The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief.” </i>Moses had received a call from God, and he had reluctantly answered that call, but was he really committed to the call? Likewise the children of Israel had received God's message by way of Moses and Aaron that God had seen their plight and was ready to move against the Egyptians. But were they willing to follow the lead of Moses and Aaron and this new revelation of Yahwey, (I Am, the Lord)?<br /><br />Then there is the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh was a god in his own sight and in the sight of the Egyptians; he was not interested in the god of the Israelite's, regardless of what they called him. He looked at this request for a three day weekend to go out into the desert and offer a sacrifice, as a sign of laziness, nothing more.<br /><br />The Israelites outnumbered the Egyptians; this problem was originally addressed earlier in Exodus, (where Moses’ birth and the Hebrew midwives actions are recorded). Pharaoh used the same psychology as many parents use, if you are complaining then you are not busy enough, or you have too much time on your hands. The answer is more work, more chores to do. The more they were required to do, the less they could threaten Egypt's sovereignty.<br /><br />I am not certain Moses was completely honest with the Israelite leaders, when he addressed them. God had told Moses and Aaron he would harden Pharaoh's heart (vs 4:21-23), maybe Moses did not believe that part of the message, or maybe he thought that would be to hard for the Israelites to understand and they would feel defeated before they began. Whatever happened, the Israelites only listened to the good news, and they heard what they wanted to hear (Vs, 4:31).<br /><br />That brings me back to Moses' call; sometimes the hardship falls on others around the one that has been called. I have often wondered about the pastor's or missionary's spouse, when they are called. Do they just follow in obedience to their spouse? Often we neglect to recognize the hardships that befall a family when a member of that family receives the call from God.<br /><br />In our text, the hardship falls on the laborers that make the brick. Moses does not seem to waiver in his faith and he has the courage to confront God, still believing, but now is looking for answers. Why God, did you send me? Why did you bring trouble on your people? Why? Why? Why?<br /><br />Our Purpose statement says <i style="">“God's authority takes precedence over all competing authorities”.</i> Pharaoh did not understand this. He thought he was equal with this Hebrew God.<br /><br />The question for all of us to answer is: What competing authorities are we allowing to have authority in our lives? Are we so selfish we think our happiness is what is important? Or is it our security that we try to protect? What rules your life?<br /><br />An interesting historical and archaeological note: If you Google <u><a href="ttp://2thinkforums.org/anyboard/archive/15802.html">Bricks of Pithom</a> </u>you will find what archaeologist have discovered in the digs of Egypt. On the bottom layers of walls the bricks they used were full of straw, and as the building rises they found less and less straw, and more stubble, finally on the upper rows there is no evidence of straw in the bricks. It could be scientific proof that the events transpired as written, just a thought.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiypBrRBUZ-Ur0R7HRdAfuIcyIQml6n8yz4a_NI9FaApJqNcChY0paC-tdu4NX0RrOj2ND0LHvMP3CwGUn9o6Issx5qoPxZ31mZ-W5HPpsj5we5nbScvSj0BeL4gLjs5ddMxxsyWH9sgeZ/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiypBrRBUZ-Ur0R7HRdAfuIcyIQml6n8yz4a_NI9FaApJqNcChY0paC-tdu4NX0RrOj2ND0LHvMP3CwGUn9o6Issx5qoPxZ31mZ-W5HPpsj5we5nbScvSj0BeL4gLjs5ddMxxsyWH9sgeZ/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347912601077847554" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-84928668004913032862009-06-11T18:57:00.000-04:002009-06-11T18:57:00.702-04:00"Moses and Aaron Respond" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">International Sunday School Lesson</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">For Week Ending June 14, 2009</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To be Confident that our saying “yes” to God's call will always be accompanied by God's empowering presence.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Scripture Text:</span> Exodus 4:10-16, 27-31 (NRSV)<br /><br />Exodus 4:10-16,27-31 (10) But Moses said to the Lord, ‘O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’ (11)Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? (12)Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.’ (13)But he said, ‘O my Lord, please send someone else.’ (14)Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, ‘What of your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. (15)You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. (16) He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him.<br /><br />(27) The Lord said to Aaron, ‘Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.’ So he went; and he met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. (28)Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which he had sent him, and all the signs with which he had charged him. (29)Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites. (30)Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses, and performed the signs in the sight of the people. (31)The people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had given heed to the Israelites and that he had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span><br /></span></div><br />This week's lesson offers some unique insights into the characteristics of God, and we have Moses’ reluctance to thank. The conversation that goes on between Moses and God gives us a slight insight into some of the characteristics of God. The first, to me, is how important relationships are to God. God is interested in the relationship between himself and the Israelites, Moses and the Israelites, and Moses and his brother Aaron.<br /><br />God does not appear as the overbearing force that some of us were raised with, but rather a conversationalist that is willing to listen and reassure, rather than threaten and impose his will. We see a God that is willing to reason with Moses, hear his doubts and answer his questions. Every reason Moses gives for not responding to God's call, God gives him the assurance that he indeed is qualified and able to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.<br /><br />A lot is made of Moses answering God's call, but I think, little is made of how important Aaron's attitude is in this whole scenario. Because relationships are important to God, he restores Moses and his brother Aaron after 40 years of separation. They are reunited for the purpose of achieving God's desire to reclaim His people out of the hand of the Egyptians. Aaron would not get the glory or the notoriety and he would only hear God's command second hand, God was going to communicate with Moses and Moses would relay God's word to Aaron, Aaron then in turn would relay that message to the Israelites. I think the same can be said of those today that are the ones doing the work, while others get the spotlight. The New Testament tells us we are all given unique gifts, our purpose is to use those gifts in a way that glorifies and magnifies God's power and presence. While it is important to have those that have received a special call from God, it is also important for the Aaron's of the world to accept their position in God's work.<br /><br />Egypt had served it purpose in helping to maintain the Israelites as a special called people; without Egypt and Joseph's efforts those descendants of Jacob may have been lost. Unfortunately there was now a Pharaoh that did not remember Joseph and his contributions to the Egyptian nation. The new Pharaoh was only interested in these industrious people he used as slaves.<br /><br />The Israelites responded to the message of God delivered by Aaron, as received from God and Moses. They exercised great faith, and were extremely grateful that God had seen their plight and heard their cries and responded in the same manner we should respond, when we realize God loves us, and has gone to great lengths to show us that love. They bowed down and worshipped. How can we respond any other way? If relationships are important to God, shouldn't we assume they should be important to us?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vu0Ucw15-lGb0OhEsEnsTnszujmjliB02In9zQ5NtwwDoVEIOfHvFZX18uyIi71nnjSBnUcZFsk6icGoL6czoyv0jL2QKw6s3F41YERGyDp7FWZNdqemLIPCdM3eTYumDUHo6AJ0vllG/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vu0Ucw15-lGb0OhEsEnsTnszujmjliB02In9zQ5NtwwDoVEIOfHvFZX18uyIi71nnjSBnUcZFsk6icGoL6czoyv0jL2QKw6s3F41YERGyDp7FWZNdqemLIPCdM3eTYumDUHo6AJ0vllG/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345279416146560082" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-51704966069032955982009-06-04T18:25:00.001-04:002009-06-04T18:25:00.991-04:00"God Call's Moses" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending June 7, 2009<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To recognize that God calls us, like Moses, to realign our lives to act within God's liberating purposes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bible Text:</span> Exodus 3: 1-12 (NRSV)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background Text:</span> Exodus 2:23-3:12<br /><br />Exodus 3:1-12<br />(1): Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb,the mountain of God. (2)There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. (3)Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ (4)When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ (5)Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’(6)He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.<br /><br />(7) Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings,(8)and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (9)The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. (10)So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.’ (11)But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ (12)He said, I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.’<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><br /><br /></div>In the world we live in today, communicating has never been easier, and yet how frustrating to try and get someone to respond to our call at times. Most of us are more interested in our hotels offering free internet access than we are in comfortable beds. We have the technology to be in constant communication, but we also have the ability to completely ignore text messages, e-mails and phone calls. Imagine how Moses must have felt, he left Egypt 40 years ago, he was minding his father-in-law's heard hundreds of miles from any town or city, and yet God was able to make contact.<br /><br />God's formula has not changed; He challenged Moses where Moses may have been the most vulnerable. Remember he had to flee Egypt because he killed an Egyptian that was causing hardship for Moses’ people and Moses felt empathy for their struggle. God says to Moses in verse seven “I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed I know their suffering”. Now it was time for Moses to respond, he was willing to kill one of the “taskmasters” but would he be willing to go back and lead them out of this terrible situation that had continued to get worse over the past 40 years. The rulers of Egypt had changed since Moses fled; his life was no longer in danger,if he returned.<br /><br />Notice God says in verse eight "I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians”. God will do the delivering, but God also adds a little more by saying “The cry of the Israelites has now come to me: I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them”. The words seem to almost vindicate Moses for his actions. How is Moses not going to respond to something which is so important to him?<br /><br />The call of Moses shows us several important things; first, God usually calls us to do things which we are passionate about. This is why when we make suggestions about a project or mission we must be prepared to lead that project or mission. Second we have the same assurance that was given to Moses, “I will be with you”, Emmanuel, God with us. Third, we can not go far enough to escape from God, long before cell phones and e-mails or twitter, God was able to contact Moses and reveal himself and his mission, and Moses, though reluctant at first, responded to God's call.<br /><br />How often have you tried to run from God? How often have you put him on ignore?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcNmiIxcMidUKAp4wbe5pZMg2xQ03S_Smn9rPgVQCvn0f5osdHwzT_eTtVKLQMMwsM23agUYl2cJD144m3gfwtlLjga-831PlgqXDHHWGniuCGgz7dkQ3EQZYCq9lxUUAsA3ohHQ7HM95/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcNmiIxcMidUKAp4wbe5pZMg2xQ03S_Smn9rPgVQCvn0f5osdHwzT_eTtVKLQMMwsM23agUYl2cJD144m3gfwtlLjga-831PlgqXDHHWGniuCGgz7dkQ3EQZYCq9lxUUAsA3ohHQ7HM95/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342857252226277554" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-18144466447281677462009-05-28T17:37:00.000-04:002009-05-28T17:37:00.618-04:00Equipped for New Life- Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size: 130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending May 31, 2009<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To claim God's power to stand firm against the spiritual forces of evil.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ephesians 6:10-18 (NRSV)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 6:10-18</span> (10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. (11)Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12)For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13)Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (14)Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.(15)As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. (16)With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (17)Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.<br /><br />(18) Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /></span></div><br />As in last weeks lesson, the very first line, tells us what should happen if we want to be successful Christians. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power”</span>.<br /><br />The second point I would make is that it is God's armor we are to put on, not our own. God has provided us with all we need to defeat the enemy, but unless we are willing to put it on, it has little value or protection against those powers that would defeat us. The <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“cosmic powers</span>” require special armor. There may be some powers that we can defeat with just the “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">sword of the spiri</span>t”. There may be other powers we can defeat with the “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">bre</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">astplate of righteousness</span>”. We must always be ready “to proclaim the gospel of peace”. Verse 14 says “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist</span>”. But we must revert back to verse 11, “<span style="font-style: italic;">put on the</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> whole </span><span style="font-style: italic;">armor of God</span>”. We must be willing to put on all of the combat gear that God has made available to us, as his followers.<br /><br />It may be hard for us as American Christians to comprehend the struggles that others face. Since the beginning of the Iraq war the number of Chaldean Christians has decreased by a million believers. The Syrian Orthodox has lost forty percent of their followers since the 2003 invasion. There is disturbing information now out about the population growth of Europe and Russia. The Russian army may be made up of forty percent Muslims. Islam will soon be the majority religion in France, Spain and England and within a short period of time it will replace Christianity as the most popular religion in the world.<br /><br />This should be a sobering thought to all believers, we know that Christians are persecuted in the Islamic world; we have read and heard many stories of families being torn apart.<br /><br />Certainly these “<span style="font-style: italic;">cosmic powers</span>” will require all of Christendom to put on the “<span style="font-style: italic;">whole armor of God</span>”. One of the area's that has changed in America is we are no longer just social Christians, we no longer attend church just because the doors are open, it is no longer socially necessary to attend church, in fact the opposite now seems more socially acceptable. Those that choose to attend are doing it for the right reasons, the church may now just play a small role in our current culture, but our resolve should be stronger than ever and our mission more defined, we are at war with the world. Those that make up the community of believers are in a definite minority. In verse 13, we are called to do all we can do; and then, when there is nothing you can do, stand – knowing you do not stand alone, and we stand with all of the armor God has made available to us.<br /><br />The final call is for us to be alert and to pray always, and always pray in the spirit, and always persevere in supplication for the saints. <o:p></o:p> Why should we be heartened by what is going on in our churches? Is our strength in numbers, or is it in the armor? How can we come out of today's woes stronger?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloNLAYy-LmEQMMvl42Upyu4EsAJAPKZ7mW3fNCriKC6PeHOphOfurB36j_Mkpjd-FnSlxUrX5hyphenhyphenW0NirvpqybSZdWWnDAYLl7Nwgs32EQwEzGrkCudfifNZ5dk0U3doXrQ1Ds34Gt-P4r/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloNLAYy-LmEQMMvl42Upyu4EsAJAPKZ7mW3fNCriKC6PeHOphOfurB36j_Mkpjd-FnSlxUrX5hyphenhyphenW0NirvpqybSZdWWnDAYLl7Nwgs32EQwEzGrkCudfifNZ5dk0U3doXrQ1Ds34Gt-P4r/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340110217294184722" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-23995814454616144192009-05-21T17:00:00.001-04:002009-05-21T17:00:01.056-04:00New Life in the Home- Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending May 24, 2009<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose: </span>To recognize that God calls all Christians, male and female,young and old, to lives of mutual submission.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4 (NRSV)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background: </span>Ephesians 5:1-6:4<br /><br />Ephesians 5:21-33<br />21) Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.<br /><br />(22) Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. (23)For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Saviour. (24)Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.<br /><br />(25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, (26) in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, (27) so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. (28)In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (29)For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, (30)because we are members of his body. (31)‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ (32)This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. (33)Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.<br /><br />Ephesians 6:4<br />(6)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) ‘Honor your father and mother’—this is the first commandment with a promise: (3) ‘so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’ (4) And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /></span></div><br />As I read the title for today's lesson, it made me very nervous. I am not sure at my age “New life in the home” would be the title I would have chosen, I am trying my best to stay out of the “home”. All of that aside, the make up of the home is a very important part of the family unit. As our leaders have taught us we must use the scriptures, tradition, experience and reason, to help us as we interpret the bible. It is why we study the bible and not just read it.<br /><br />The traditional family of the first century in an eastern culture, would be considerably different than today's family structure, therefore some statements made by the writer need the light of today in our existing culture to shine on them to make them relevant for today. That is not discounting the scripture, it is simply applying truths after studying, and using what we have been taught and have reasoned by experience.<br /><br />There are too many examples of women leaders in both the Old and New Testament to make an assumption that women have no place in God's church. The writer of Ephesians is talking about mutual submission.<br /><br />In today's world, there are many examples of relationships that fail, or are very difficult. On TV there are some reality programs that try and deal with the conflicts and problems of a relationship. “Jon and Kate plus Eight” offers an example of a husband and wife struggling with their relationship and eight children, and that may not survive the present difficulties they are going through. Another program called “Wife Swap” whose premise is two mothers and wives swap places for a short period of time and deal with each others dysfunctional families. Usually one is real strict while the other is laid back and does not believe in discipline. Amazingly they come out of the experiment with a better understanding of what is important for a family relationship.<br /><br />Our text covers many of the problems these TV programs highlight. Relationships are difficult, and they are especially difficult if God is not involved in the marriage or in the home. Our relationships need to be based on the same love that Christ has shown to His church. If we claim the name of Christ our relationships need to reflect His love, whether it is husband and wife, employer/employee, parents and children, or older parents and older children.<br /><br />This subject is so important that it is covered almost identically in two books of the bible, this passage in Ephesians and the passage in Colossians 3:18;-4:1.<br /><br />Is there a secret for making a relationship work that you would like to share? There are many single parent families, how does this scripture text apply to them? How can the Church best minister to these families?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbPUjzacUdwrE4njoeUC3SE-aTenLIHx6v2MDFzGRBkXLNHrvKP2jIFgYUR3OoNSnQo_mtzmQ4bRw3x65hoClzvNiull15fdRXdKNHRMn3H8Gbbx2CF6P-eFBC1DQy4jR_IcLLisjNs2R/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbPUjzacUdwrE4njoeUC3SE-aTenLIHx6v2MDFzGRBkXLNHrvKP2jIFgYUR3OoNSnQo_mtzmQ4bRw3x65hoClzvNiull15fdRXdKNHRMn3H8Gbbx2CF6P-eFBC1DQy4jR_IcLLisjNs2R/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337502686364921682" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-89801520006811288692009-05-14T17:58:00.000-04:002009-05-14T17:58:00.553-04:00"New Revelation in Christ" - Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending May 17, 2009</span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p></span><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div><o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To proclaim against all opposition that the church be a diverse community of persons demonstrating God's imparti</o:p><o:p>ality and love for all people.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ephesians 3:1-13 (NRSV)<br /><br />Ephesians 3:1-13 <o:p><br />(1)This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— (2) for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, (3) and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, (4) a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. (5)In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: (6) that are the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.<br /><br />(7) Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. (8)Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles th</o:p></o:p><o:p><o:p>e news of the boundless riches of Christ, (9) and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; (10) so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (11)This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, (12) in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. (13) I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.<br /><br /></o:p></o:p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-size: 130%;"><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"><o:p>My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</o:p></o:p></span><br /><o:p><o:p></o:p></o:p></div><o:p><o:p><br />As we continue in our study of Ephesians for the balance of this quarter, today's lesson provides a real challenge to each of us as well as our churches. As we have stated, in earlier commentary, Paul's reason for writing this</o:p></o:p><o:p><o:p> circular letter to the early churches of Asia was an effort to bring together both Greek and Jew in the body of Christ.<br /><br />The point of this portion of scripture seems to be; we are all equal in God's sight, Jew, Greek or whatever we are (v6) “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">fellow heirs, members of the same body, sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel</span>”. Paul reveals he has been given an understanding of the (v4) “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">mystery of Christ</span>”.<br /><br />Back in the book of Genesis in chapter 11, God had scattered the people and given them diversity in language because they were content to settle a small portion of his creation. God intended for all of us to be diverse and unique, God also intends for all of us to love one another. Our diversity is not something to make us afraid, but rather is something we should embrace, it is part of the mystery of God, and it is in our, (v10) rich variety that the rulers in “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">heavenly places</span>” will realize that God's church has received the wisdom of God.<br /><br />In verse 17 of this ch</o:p></o:p><o:p><o:p>apter, the writer says “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love</span>”. Paul seems to imply that the church's faith, and love for one another is what will separate them from the rest of God's creation.<br /><br />From the beginning God had a plan, and that plan has been revealed to Paul and to the prophets, this mystery was hidden from the, (v5) “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">sons of men</span>”. From the tower of Babel to the resurrection of Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, from the calling of one man named Abram an establishing a nation of separated people, all was part of God's plan. Who could be more diverse that the sons of Isaac, (Jacob and Esau) or even the sons of Jacob.<br /><br />God wants us to be diverse, it is by showing our love for those that are different in culture, race, ethnicity, and even in beliefs, that we can show the world that the love of Christ in our hearts is what makes us part of God's family. I think that God calls his people to love those that are unloved and unlovely, those that may have a different sexual orientation than others, we are called to love them all, and I do not see any exceptions to God's law of love.<br /><br />Is it ea</o:p></o:p><o:p><o:p>sier to love those that are diff</o:p></o:p><o:p><o:p>erent than us, or do you find it harder to love some of those you know more about? Can our knowledge of someone get in the way of our love? Why is Ephesians 3:17 so important in our ability to love?<br /></o:p></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnDhVMto7MkLfzV6hzOYlLpRJgBwWo7EbbR_LkVcTsNo3qhT9D4DfAPOFwT55aSgP2o7MO96-nT18vOK5AmpQaJ9RjWEbWZ9c3-9g_0a876aPS_kCwMXURtD4btt_zFD-boe-zLZdCyH5/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnDhVMto7MkLfzV6hzOYlLpRJgBwWo7EbbR_LkVcTsNo3qhT9D4DfAPOFwT55aSgP2o7MO96-nT18vOK5AmpQaJ9RjWEbWZ9c3-9g_0a876aPS_kCwMXURtD4btt_zFD-boe-zLZdCyH5/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334935066509128370" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-1450347090059126202009-05-07T11:19:00.001-04:002009-05-09T13:03:07.959-04:00"New Life in Christ " Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending May 10, 2009</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To acknowledge how necessary God's grace is to move us from the blindness and helplessness of sin to a life of good works.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)<br /><br />Ephesians 2:1-10<br />(1)You were dead through the trespasses and sins (2)in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. (3)All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. (4)But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us (5)even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— (6)and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7)so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. (8)For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— (9)not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (10)For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-size:130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span><br /><br /></div>This is our second lesson from Ephesians, and as we stated in our last lesson, this letter was written as a circular letter to the Asian churches that Paul had established during his missionary journeys.There is some tension between the doctrines of Ephesians and the doctrine of some of Paul’s other writing which has caused some to dispute Paul as the author of Ephesians. I will try and point out some of those tensions as we progress through this lesson.<br /><br />As we noted last week, this letter is written to Christians and to the Churches established by Paul. The writer begins by recalling our former state before we became part of God's family. <span style="font-style: italic;">“<span style="font-weight: bold;">You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived</span></span>”. Just as we studied about six weeks ago in the book of Ezekiel 37 we were the living dead, moving about as dry bones, with no life, no purpose, no hope and cut off completely. We were guilty of following <span style="font-style: italic;">“<span style="font-weight: bold;">the course of this world</span>”</span><span>. And so doing the writer says we were following <span style="font-style: italic;">“<span style="font-weight: bold;">the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient</span></span>”. The author is clear in proclaiming those outside of Christ are lost, and the same as dead.<br /><br />The reasoning then, is if we follow our own desires and we are in bondage to “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses</span>”, we are separated from God and in need of being restored to God as one of His children, as God intended us to be. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“We were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else</span>”. Then we have the most important two words in this text “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">But God</span>”. Despite our own perverse will, God's plan for us is something other than death. “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses , made us alive together with Christ</span>”. This passage of scripture emphasizes the here and now as opposed to some distant happiness, and that reveals the t</span><span>ensions with other passages. In Romans 5:1-11, Paul seems to say “not yet” compared with today's “already”. Romans 5:9 states “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">while we have been justified, we will be saved</span>.” In Romans it seems to be about the cross, in today's lesson it seems to be about the resurrection. Our text today is certainly more comforting if we are facing trials and tribulations it is nice to know, God's love has, “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">made us alive together with Christ</span>”.<br /><br />Paul's logic concerning salvation </span><span>sometimes </span><span>seems unclear or hard to follow, but in today's text it seems to be presented in a nice uncomplicated package. “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">For by grace you have been saved through faith</span>”. Our salvation is God's work and not ours; “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life</span>” Paul states something similar when he describes the “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">fruits of the spirit</span>” in Galatians 5:22-25. James states “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead</span>” (James 2:17). A little saying has been making the rounds lately but it is well worth repeating</span><span> here “God loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way”.<br /><br />Why do you think you deserve a place in heaven? Which do you prefe</span><span>r, the plan for salvation found in Romans 5 or the one found in Ephesians 2? Why? Both have be</span><span>en canonized so both are applicable, both are the word of God for the people of God.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYgHXbtlJwDBNyIEVQJq2zBgfSLR72SXep9K65nccfgj-k4rg0od5pWHzBo1rmLQc9vVnUqXMlMOlWzerqTewRSEom_o9xLCFoOwwP7W2LKLjc77kmq9bwECSbWSBTGSuNMiYb6bYEeRR/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYgHXbtlJwDBNyIEVQJq2zBgfSLR72SXep9K65nccfgj-k4rg0od5pWHzBo1rmLQc9vVnUqXMlMOlWzerqTewRSEom_o9xLCFoOwwP7W2LKLjc77kmq9bwECSbWSBTGSuNMiYb6bYEeRR/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332303024734283506" border="0" /></a><span><br /></span>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-22235143886669301092009-04-30T14:16:00.000-04:002009-04-30T14:16:00.366-04:00"New Family in Christ" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending May 3, 2009<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To celebrate all that God has done to make us God's own adopted children<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ephesians 1:3-14 (NRSV)<br /><br />Ephesians 1:3-14<br />(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,(4) just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. (5)He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6)to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (7)In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (8)that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight (9)he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, (10)as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (11)In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, (12)so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. (13)In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; (14)this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size: 130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /></span></div><br />This week's lesson is from the Book of Ephesians, written by Paul, while a prisoner in Rome. In today's bibles the letter is addressed to the church at Ephesus, but the oldest manuscripts are not addressed to anyone in particular, and the book of Ephesians is considered a circuit letter meant to be read by several churches in that area.<br /><br />The dilemma for Paul is he has two congregations, one is the newly converted Gentiles, and the other is the established Jewish congregations. Paul does not want to see two different churches; he wants one church, one in Christ. He wants the Jews to accept that the Gentiles can become Christians without becoming Jews, and he did not want the Gentiles to be prejudiced against the Jews. This epistle is addressed to the Gentile Christians; Paul had earlier appeased the Jewish element by taking them a generous offering.<br /><br />Paul sees God as a Great Big Something, in whom there is room for all races, viewpoints and prejudices, and God is able to solve and resolve all of the differences, and bring us all into a relationship with Him. In 3:10 he even hints at other unseen universes. Regardless of what we think, God had an eternal purpose, which was accomplished through Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Paul had spent three years in Ephesus, but the letter contains no personal greeting as in some of his other letters. In today's text Paul states God's purpose and plan, that includes redemption, adoption, forgiveness, and sealing of a people for God's own possession. This plan had been determined in eternity and was now being brought to completion by the effective exercise of God's will.<br /><br />The text opens with praise, much as the Lord's Prayer, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”</span>. The emphasis remains on Jesus through out the book. It is in Christ that God's plan has been revealed and accomplished. In verse four we are told <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love”</span>. It would be a mistake to think God has embarked on some plan to create superhuman beings without flaw or defect. The perfection God has in mind is a perfection of love. When we choose God, through Christ, we fulfill a destiny that was established before the foundations of the world. God chose to redeem mankind, now it is our chance to choose God through Jesus Christ.<br /><br />In verse five, it says, “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">He destined us for adoption as his children”, the Greek word rendered “</span><span style="font-style: italic;">destined</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">”</span> here literally means “<span style="font-style: italic;">foresaw</span>”. God becomes both the granter and guarantor for his plan of redemption. Clearly in God's plan his willing and caring come first, but that does not mean our own actions and willing are irrelevant. Note in verse 12, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“we who were first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of His glory”. And later it says, “when you had heard the word of truth,.... and believed in him were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit”</span>. Then the Holy Spirit becomes our <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people”</span>.<br /><br />God has gone to great lengths, to provide a means whereby we can become part of His family. God's work is done, now it is up to us to accept our new heavenly Father and His plan which includes the work of Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness that is available through His blood.<br /><br />I think it is important to remember this letter was written to the redeemed, to the church of Asia, to encourage them to enjoy now, through the person of the Holy Spirit, what they would receive later in eternity, to live blameless before Him in Love. Have you responded to God's love? How? If our adoption is offered but declined, where does that leave us?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftV43EeZ0RIStM2SH9vHFzFtRS6IujAxh14kFk0wcorpkhZ4kyiQ4WlskIvMlVJChcYFVl8i400KCauEwf7OPhlHzmjVLB7uoXHLcqI1igGKDsYQQICMbeLkDiqgPDd5P6rQgmpt3dQ4l/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftV43EeZ0RIStM2SH9vHFzFtRS6IujAxh14kFk0wcorpkhZ4kyiQ4WlskIvMlVJChcYFVl8i400KCauEwf7OPhlHzmjVLB7uoXHLcqI1igGKDsYQQICMbeLkDiqgPDd5P6rQgmpt3dQ4l/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329711894349305266" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-259137824526491072009-04-23T14:16:00.000-04:002009-04-23T14:16:00.326-04:00"Bringing New Life to Those in Need" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending April 26, 2009</span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To offer assurance that through the life and witness of the church, we can extend Christ's power and presence in times of need.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Acts 9:32-43 (NRSV)<br /><br />Acts 9:32-43<br />(32) Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. (33)There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. (34)Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!’ And immediately he got up. (35)And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.<br /><br />(36) Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. (37)At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. (38)Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ (39)So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. (40)Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. (41)He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. (42)This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (43)Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /><br /></span></div>As I look at this text from Acts, I am struck by a couple of things, first, God's will is not always done on earth, second, that is why it is so important they we communicate with God about our needs and desires. It appears to me, God responds to our prayers when His response is in agreement with His will.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />Last week we talked about the writings of Luke (The Gospel of Luke and the Act's of the Apostles). The Gospel of Luke points us towards Jerusalem and the Book of Acts points us outward from Jerusalem. We can further divide the Book of Acts into those things that went on in Judea and Samaria and then all the way to Rome. It can also be divided into the ministry of Peter (1-12) and the ministry of Paul (13-28).<o:p></o:p><br /><br />Our text takes place in the Judean and Samaritan time frame, as Peter was visiting the early Christians in the area away from Jerusalem. The healing of Aeneas is very similar to the healing of the paralytic found in Luke 5:17-26. It is easy to make the case that this miracle was an important part of spreading the good news in this area outside of Jerusalem, and we know it is God's will “<span style="font-style: italic;">that all should be saved</span>”. However we may miss the importance of Peter's prayer, “<span style="font-style: italic;">Jesus Christ heals you</span>”. I do not think it was because of God’s will that Aeneas was paralyzed, and because of that fact God was willing to answer Peter's prayer for Aeneas's healing. It would serve to glorify God in several ways, the obvious way and in the strengthening of Peter's faith, for even greater acts. It is important to note Peter did not heal, Jesus Christ was the healer.<br /><br />With the spreading of the news about Aeneas throughout the area it is no wonder help was sought when in the neighboring town of Joppa the Christian community was going through a trial of its own. It had lost a disciple named Dorcas,(in Greek) or Tabitha (in Aramaic or Hebrew). Dorcas is the only woman identified as a “disciple” in the Book of Acts. Dorcas seemed to have been a very diligent and gifted disciple and was especially loved by the widows of Joppa. We do not know the circumstance of her death. It did not have to be God's will that she die, but it was certainly His will that she be called back from the dead by Peter, but without Peter's prayer it would not have happened.<br /><br />Where does prayer stand, in your witness? In your church's witness? Prayer is a powerful tool that we have been given; our responsibility is to use it wisely. It is not to be used like a magic wand, but it is to be used to communicate to the Father our concerns and our needs and the needs of others. We are taught to pray “<span style="font-style: italic;">thy will be done on Earth </span><span><span style="font-style: italic;">as it is in Heaven</span>”. I believe God's will is done in heaven, I pray that it will also be done on earth, but I need to ask Him to do that, and if I don't ask, I will never know what His will is.<br /><br /></span><span> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvrLXVffasvnXV7LglD59yCIp7cwAhXEESJRoC97mKDLkQTfvmSOXnEbySdlow2cgD9F0MMOdpwu9RF01_Tz0K7v2B5PAa9nxz0gb2d1SFsP4vVerozJfUvr4DCbuPBzkYscNyh0xpdzC/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvrLXVffasvnXV7LglD59yCIp7cwAhXEESJRoC97mKDLkQTfvmSOXnEbySdlow2cgD9F0MMOdpwu9RF01_Tz0K7v2B5PAa9nxz0gb2d1SFsP4vVerozJfUvr4DCbuPBzkYscNyh0xpdzC/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326898270870670754" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-32185171521224059172009-04-16T13:58:00.001-04:002009-04-16T15:44:09.687-04:00"Witnesses to New Life" Sunday School Lesson <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending April 19, 2009</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose: </span>To demonstrate that despite our fears, the risen Christ empowers us to worship and witness.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text</span>: Luke 24:44-53 (NRSV)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background:</span> Luke 24:36-53<br /><br />Luke 24:44-53<br />(44) Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ (45)Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, (46)and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, (47)and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.(48)You are witnesses of these things. (49)And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’<br /><br />(50) Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. (51)While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. (52)And they worshiped him, an returned to Jerusalem with great joy; (53)and they were continually in the temple blessing God.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><br /><br /></div>The Gospel of Luke, written by the “beloved physician” (Col. 4:14) is also the only Gospel written by a gentile. The fact that Luke was a physician might play a part in his fascination with Jesus eating broiled fish and honey after the resurrection. (Vs 42-43)<br /><br />The overall theme of Luke is “Christ, the Son of Man” and many of the events in this book demonstrate Christ's humanity. Luke's writings also include the Book of Acts of the Apostles, so the Gospel of Luke, is the first part of a continuing story. The Gospel of Luke is constantly pointing us to Jerusalem and the cross, while the Book of Acts, starts in Jerusalem and extends to “the ends of the earth”, which Christ commands in Acts 1:8:“<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”</span>. Today's lesson is simply preparing the disciples to do the work of witnessing to “the ends of the earth”.<br /><br />Jesus is going to teach in just a short period of time, some 40 days, everything He had tried to teach them the three years prior, but they were unwilling to learn.<br /><br />When I was younger I took flying lessons, and as long as the instructor was with me, in the right hand seat, I was very comfortable, no matter what the circumstance, because I knew he did not want to die prematurely, but when the day came and he climbed out and he told me to go do three “solo landings” and “take offs”, I suddenly wished I would have paid more attention to what he was telling me for the previous six weeks or so. The same was true with the disciples; they all of a sudden realized they were going to have to fly solo. It was them that would be responsible for spreading the good news around the world.<br /><br />After I had achieved the ability to fly by myself, then I was certified to carry passengers with me, and some forty hours of flying time later, I began working on an instrument rating. I can relate that to what the disciples went through, the intense learning, and learning to trust someone else, a higher force, than what I was able to do with my own vision. Eventually I became able to not only fly solo, I was able to do it when I could not see the ground or other aircraft, I had learned to depend on someone who had the big picture, someone that knew where every airport was and who also knew where every airplane was in the sky. Of course I had to check in with them every time I wanted to fly, and they would give me the clearance to proceed to my destination.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />Like the disciples, I had to learn a lot and I had to have my mind opened to understanding the Instrument Flight Rules. It was an intense learning time and I studied harder than I had ever studied and the final exam was the hardest I had ever taken, but the whole world was opened to me, I could literally fly anywhere i wanted to go and just about anytime I wanted to go, as long as I was in touch with the “controller”.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />I think that is exactly where these eleven or so disciples were, they were told to wait until they received their clearance from on high, and then they were to go into the entire world preaching the gospel, but always staying in touch with the “controller”.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />I must confess there were times when I would start out on my own, trusting my own sight, but if I found myself unable to see the way, I could immediately call the controller and tell him my situation and where I wanted to go, if the air traffic and weather were no problem, he would then direct me to my destination, if I obeyed his commands and did exactly as he said.<br /><br />Who do you trust, are you flying by sight? Or are you willing to trust the Controller? God does not want to be our co-pilot; He wants to be the Controller<br /><br />.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXYMOB9RfVQpcUBW-tYY8A5cATA7YFOFCGaRXkAzEuO7BrtZZCKZw2LBa0oG13J6fafdXvL2K8nay4oq5dos4XITFVxDjJxwLqG3z8PRnZrjkqvbZCYB9znD_XLjoTilx4EQzqRXsmx6w/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXYMOB9RfVQpcUBW-tYY8A5cATA7YFOFCGaRXkAzEuO7BrtZZCKZw2LBa0oG13J6fafdXvL2K8nay4oq5dos4XITFVxDjJxwLqG3z8PRnZrjkqvbZCYB9znD_XLjoTilx4EQzqRXsmx6w/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324233165481355778" border="0"></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-901757686993228432009-04-09T16:23:00.001-04:002009-04-10T09:20:47.746-04:00"Resurrected Unto New Life" Easter Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><font size="4"><font style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</font></font><br /><font size="4"><font style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending April 12, 2009</font></font><br /><br /></div><font style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</font> To celebrate Christ's resurrection and the new life it makes possible.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text: </font>Luke 24:1-12 (NRSV)<br /><br />Luke 24:1-12<br />(1)But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. (2)They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. (4)While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. (5)The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. (6)Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, (7)that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ (8)Then they remembered his words, (9)and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. (10)Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. (11)But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. (12)But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><font size="4"><font style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</font></font><br /></div><br />The events of Friday came to sudden end, after Jesus groaned His last breath, and gave up the ghost. His body was given to Joseph of Arimathea for burial in Joseph's tomb. Because of the Sabbath beginning at sunset there was not sufficient time to prepare the body of Jesus properly, for burial. I think it was evidence of God's grace that the suffering was over so soon and that the body was removed from the cross. Under normal conditions the body would have been left to hang, while the wild animals and birds of prey would feast on the remains. God provided Joseph of Arimathea to claim the body and remove it from the cross.<br /><br />Our lesson begins with the women returning to the grave sight to better prepare the body of Jesus for internment. These women were an important part of Jesus ministry, Mary Magdalene was not the prostitute everyone believes her to be but rather a business women whom Jesus had cast out demons. In Luke 8:3 it says “<font style="font-style: italic;">they provided for Him out of their resources</font>”. In Luke 8:1-3 we learn of two other women Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Sussana. These Three women plus Mary the mother of James and others went to the tomb on Sunday morning to give a proper burial for Jesus.<br /><br />As we have noted in earlier lessons Luke uses the women to discover the empty tomb and to share this news with the eleven. Because a woman's testimony had no legal standing, what they said they saw was treated rather indifferently (idle tale) by the eleven, with the exception of Peter. The greatest event in the history of the world was ignored because of the sexist small-mindedness of eleven men.<br /><br />Even now, the United Nations Development Fund for Women recently released a report that accuses Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai of fast-tracking an anti-woman's rights law. The “Shia Family Law,” while not available for public review yet, is reported to forbid wives from leaving their home without permission from their husbands, to grant custody of children only to fathers and grandfathers, and to require women to meet their husband's sexual demands. How far have we come in the last 2000 years?<br /><br />The women of Luke received a special blessing because they knew what they saw, after Peter makes his own inspection he too is “<font style="font-style: italic;">amazed at what had happened</font>”.<br /><br />The Gospels tell the story of the resurrection from differing view points, but the story remains the same, <font style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Christ is risen</font>. In modern day events, it is like the Kennedy assassination, Kennedy is dead, but there are those who still dispute how it happened and who was responsible. The women knew the truth, and Peter believed when he saw the empty tomb, the others only believed when Jesus appears to them. Still others only believed when they see the nail scars in the hands and the sword wound in the side. What does it take for you to believe? Do you believe the witness of five or six women? What evidence do you need? Does a changed life make it believable?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv7zHwlE7t5yMhuhyphenhyphenKq4ceoTPy2oZ7puOULixSrWmG3Vph3AYAQKwVusYn8tTB5B81mQ6lLW6jwnBhOlCmFzaM7t1Cb-NauoUuUYZJzD638uRFn-fa7ExyHoR7tnESfeaPDaiRgDbwTxC/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv7zHwlE7t5yMhuhyphenhyphenKq4ceoTPy2oZ7puOULixSrWmG3Vph3AYAQKwVusYn8tTB5B81mQ6lLW6jwnBhOlCmFzaM7t1Cb-NauoUuUYZJzD638uRFn-fa7ExyHoR7tnESfeaPDaiRgDbwTxC/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321967919556196098" border="0"></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-34512313389337852412009-04-02T17:21:00.002-04:002009-04-03T20:53:52.395-04:00"Suffering Unto Death" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending April 5, 2009<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To discover through Jesus' suffering and death what true victory is.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Luke 23:32-46(NRSV)<br /><br />Luke 23:32-46<br />(32) Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. (33)When they came to the place that is called The Skull,they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. (34)Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’And they cast lots to divide his clothing.(35)And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’<br /><br />(36)The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, (37)and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ (38)There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’(39)One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ (40)But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? (41)And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ (42)Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ (43)He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’<br /><br />(44) It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, (45)while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. (46)Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /><br /></span></div>Our lesson from Luke describes the events that took place on that Good Friday almost 2000 years ago. The prophet Isaiah had written about 600 years earlier (Isaiah 53:8-9) <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“By a perversion of justice He was taken away. Who could imagine his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living...... They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich”.</span><br /><br />It is important to point out that Jesus was not murdered; he was a willing participant in this charade. Jesus had on several occasions escaped from those that would do Him harm, and if He would have chosen to so, He could have escaped again. He knew the reason God had sent Him to earth and decided by His own will, that this would be the time for God's plan to be executed, not the execution of Jesus. Imagine the jubilation in the devils camp, for they knew who Jesus was. Jesus would be executed by the Roman government, at the request of the Jewish leadership.Those that were crucified with Christ are often referred to as thieves, but Rome did not execute thieves, more likely they were followers of Barabbas, the criminal that was released, or other Zealots that were threatening to overthrow the Roman rule in Palestine.<br /><br />It appears from Luke's account that everybody knew this whole trial and execution was a sham, even Pilate could find no fault. The very thing that Jesus was accused of by the mob, and the plaque placed over His head, and meant to mock Him, was in fact true, Jesus was the “King of the Jews”. And He was the Son of God.<br /><br />Jesus continued to rule even from the cross, when he said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”. He showed His power to forgive, and became the victor not the victim. Jesus died willingly, and He also granted one of the others, that were also being crucified, salvation, Jesus was in control of heaven and earth even as the mob of Jewish leaders and Satan thought they had won.<br /><br />The power of the resurrection is an awesome power that we can tap into in our own lives. Saturday Satan thinks he has finally defeated God, and I can imagine he gathered his entire band of fallen angels and declared he had won the victory. He had been thrown out of heaven, and Jesus says in Luke 10:18 <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lighting”</span>. Satan wanted to be God or at least His Son. Now he thought he had won the greatest of all battles he had seen the Son of God die. All of Satan's strength would focus on one thing, keeping Jesus dead and buried.<br /><br />What a difference a day makes, come Sunday morning and an empty tomb and Satan victory turns into defeat. Because Christ lives we know Satan can be defeated, we too have the power of the resurrection in us through Jesus. What wonderful power is available to all of us, the power of the resurrection.<br /><br />How can we use the power of the resurrection in our own lives? Why is it important that Jesus went willingly to the cross? What three things did Jesus do while on the cross that proves His sovereignty?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiiIUDanIWKGUJL4naD_1IbgGhhOLWo6y6loCfFCxjKowjqWqsTs9WUawMqrA_M89JfGiOOI6yOjbcCoFSKwHUGWH0AE1TiftwDL9K_usIN9FyoWAUudv7ZYKkj-3wZTFKj_b9q34bJSK/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiiIUDanIWKGUJL4naD_1IbgGhhOLWo6y6loCfFCxjKowjqWqsTs9WUawMqrA_M89JfGiOOI6yOjbcCoFSKwHUGWH0AE1TiftwDL9K_usIN9FyoWAUudv7ZYKkj-3wZTFKj_b9q34bJSK/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319107346219569666" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-27013738491265853922009-03-23T17:08:00.001-04:002009-03-27T15:59:11.434-04:00Envisioning New Life - Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending March 29, 2009<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To rejoice that the waters of God's mercy make the barren wastelands of our lives blossom and thrive<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lesson Text: </span> Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NRVS)<br /><br />Ezekiel 47:1-12<br />(1)Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. (2)Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate that faces towards the east; and the water was coming out on the south side.<br /><br />(3) Going on eastwards with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. (4)Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. (5)Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. (6)He said to me, ‘Mortal, have you seen this?’<br /><br />Then he led me back along the bank of the river. (7)As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on one side and on the other. (8)He said to me, ‘This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. (9)Wherever the river goes,every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. (10)People will stand fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. (11)But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. (12)On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.’<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><br /><br /></div>This passage is the fourth vision recorded in Ezekiel, and is the third concerning God's glory. Under the circumstances it may have been necessary to reinforce to Ezekiel and to the remnant of Jews in Babylon, the glory of God. From their vantage point, God seemed to have lost His luster and even His mystic, and the fact is they only had doubts fears and maybe even disbelief.<br /><br />In Ezekiel's vision there is new hope, because the glory of God does not flow from the temple itself but from the throne of God. The water comes under the threshold, not over it. Ezekiel had seen in a prior vision in chapter 43:7, wherever this water was coming from, it was the dwelling place of God, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“The place of my throne and the place where the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever”</span>.<br /><br />If we go back to the instructions given to Moses and Aaron on building the Tabernacle in the wilderness, we know it was to be replica of God's throne, the same happened when Solomon built the permanent temple in Jerusalem; it was a replica of God's heavenly throne, where God dwells. If we go forward to the Revelation of John in chapter 22:1-2, we will see an almost identical vision record by John as the one recorded by Ezekiel. Both of these visions can also be compared to the original scene from Genesis 2:9-10, of the Garden of Eden.<br /><br />I feel the significances of the way the river starts almost as a trickle but grows into a river that could not be crossed, is speaking of God's presence growing from one man Abraham, to a nation of twelve tribes, to a regional power, and eventually to a gigantic movement that can not be stopped. The river flows from Genesis to Revelation, I am not sure you could find this interpretation in any commentary, but it is what God has revealed to me today. The Glory of God is the essence of all creation; in fact you could say that His creation is His glory. Remember after God had finished with His creation, He announces it to be “good” and it is God's goodness that draws all of us to Him (see Genesis 1:18, 25).<br /><br />It is the glory of God that generates all of the goodness in this world, from the tree of life to the leaves of healing, to eternal life with Him in His dwelling place. He went to great lengths to enable us, His creation, to be able to live with Him forever. He sent His only Son to be our redeemer, and He gave us a creation to use until we no longer need this creation and we can claim the original, not the replica, the eternal throne room of God.<br /><br />It should give all of us a new hope, that out of barren wastelands, our lives can blossom and bloom, into the fruits of the spirit, it is God's love flowing through each of us. How are you using the power of God's glory flowing through you? Are you making the barren, blossom and bloom? What do you think Ezekiel's vision means? When you compare Genesis, Ezekiel, and Revelation, do you get a sense of the thread or river that runs through these three different books?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ikqMbAZPXS_6VQ7eN-2tjsgt4eH_BYKfsiIvyx_dwqe9yewrEI-MDMvbjqiL2Ys6R97Y5shIiusnRWdKHdeY9S4Fg_Awt8a0LEfLsnX4GcHnKtSgB6COSFTuxvP-ZIaDOAm_d4EsaqoE/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ikqMbAZPXS_6VQ7eN-2tjsgt4eH_BYKfsiIvyx_dwqe9yewrEI-MDMvbjqiL2Ys6R97Y5shIiusnRWdKHdeY9S4Fg_Awt8a0LEfLsnX4GcHnKtSgB6COSFTuxvP-ZIaDOAm_d4EsaqoE/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316491016644828754" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-2772339574336181402009-03-16T17:44:00.002-04:002009-03-16T18:51:43.759-04:00"Prophesying New Life" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending March 22,2009</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To affirm hope in God's ability to bring new life into hopeless situations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ezekiel 37:1-14(NRSV)<br /><br />Ezekiel 37:1-14<br />(1)The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. (2)He led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. (3)He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ (4)Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. (5)Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. (6)I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.’<br /><br />(7) So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. (8)I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. (9)Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’(10)I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.<br /><br />(11) Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” (12)Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. (13)And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. (14)I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’ <o:p></o:p><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /></span></div><br />Have you ever been in a place of deep despair, maybe out of grief or health fears, or fear of poverty, or even the burden of guilt or addiction? Whatever the reason, most of of us can relate to the circumstances that Ezekiel's audience was in. They were without hope,<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> “our hope is lost; we are cut off completely”</span> (vs. 37:11). How often when you were in this situation did some well meaning Christian or friend say? “Cheer up, things could be worse”, and you cheered up and, sure enough, things got worse.<br /><br />The nation of Israel was in a valley of dry bones. They had lost their homeland, the temple had been destroyed, and they were now strangers in a foreign land. Where was the God that brought them out of Egypt and established them as a nation? Surely God had deserted them. We can take a lesson from the situation the Israelites were in, God did not present some Pollyanna optimism, or give them a pat on the back and say chin-up. They were in deep, dark despair and they needed real hope, not a superficial platitude.<br /><br />Ezekiel's vision has a couple of interesting parts. He is placed by God in a valley of dry bones, bones that are disjointed, dusty, and have been picked clean by the vultures. God asked a question. He asked Ezekiel <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“Can these bones live?”</span> and Ezekiel's answer shows that Ezekiel believes <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“with God all things are possible”</span>. (MATT 14:26)<br /><br />Belief is the first requirement from God. The second step is they must hear and receive God's word <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">“</span></span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">hear the word of the Lord.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">”</span></span> The third part is that they must receive the breath of God or the Spirit of God. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">“</span></span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.”</span></span></span> After Ezekiel spoke, the bones began to join themselves together, but he also had to prophesy to the breath, <span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">“Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” </span></span><br /><br />Just as John records <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“in the beginning was the Word”</span> so with Ezekiel it required the Word. God works through words. That is why our prayer life is so important. The very breath of God had to be summoned by Ezekiel, and until they received the breath of God, they were just bones walking around.<o:p></o:p>Ezekiel's vision gives them new hope; the vision breathed new hope, into those that were without hope. The vision of dry bones can be interpreted several ways, including our own resurrection at some future date.<br /><br />In verse 12 & 13 all of us are given the hope of the resurrection. It is the hope of not only our own resurrection but the hope that Easter morning gives all of us. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"</span></span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Because I live, ye shall live also".</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> John 14:19</span></span><br /><br />We may interpret this passage, that to recover from a desperate situation, we must believe, hear what God has to say, and then receive His Spirit. How can we use this passage in dealing with those that are depressed and without hope in our everyday world? How should these verses help anyone who is hopeless? In James 2:15-16, James says, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace: keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what good is that?”</span> How should that affect the way you do ministry?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qvTyR_XhUeqCLvC9t4nAzDEzJA_nmVIRObzob1_a7QGt0tcoTUPrv6nyC6HpdEoNHIN4cSv0tRC9cj-p6AgVD0lePcRjKpAzbQ56C7kCJzRaGQ5_ya-lixH_xIiCFRakJUUXVzqMETx3/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qvTyR_XhUeqCLvC9t4nAzDEzJA_nmVIRObzob1_a7QGt0tcoTUPrv6nyC6HpdEoNHIN4cSv0tRC9cj-p6AgVD0lePcRjKpAzbQ56C7kCJzRaGQ5_ya-lixH_xIiCFRakJUUXVzqMETx3/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313901593717911218" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-70909017775068362242009-03-09T12:57:00.000-04:002009-03-16T09:11:00.696-04:00"God's People Restored Again" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending March 15, 2009<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To lead us to a fuller awareness that we are the undeserving beneficiaries of God's intention to be true to God's character<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text: </span>Ezekiel 36:22-32 (NRSV)<br /><br />Ezekiel 36:22-32<br />(22) Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. (23)I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the LordGod, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. (24)I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. (25)I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. (26)A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (27)I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. (28)Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.<br /><br />(29)I will save you from all your uncleannesses, and I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. (30)I will make the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field abundant, so that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. (31)Then you shall remember your evil ways, and your dealings that were not good; and you shall loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominable deeds. (32)It is not for your sake that I will act, says the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and dismayed for your ways, O house of Israel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><br /></div><br />This particular passage of scripture has some tensions and maybe even controversy. The first thing that should be noted is starting at verse 23b of this chapter, we seem to have a new editor of this passage. According to the LXX (Septuagint) the pattern and vocabulary appears to change, although 1st century copies show this passage intact. The variance could be as simple as a different translator in Alexandria where the translation took place by seventy different scholars, hence the LXX and Septuagint name, given to this translation from Hebrew to Greek.<br /><br />The other two tensions have to do with the arguments of predestination and baptism. Note that in verse 25 it says <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">“I will sprinkle clean water on you”.</span></span> This verse along with Romans 10:22 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">“having our hearts sprinkled and --- our bodies washed”) </span></span>is used to justify sprinkling as a form of baptism by some believers, along with the practicality of sprinkling as a convenient way to replace circumcision as a means to separate Christians from non-Christians. I must say, that in most all branches of Christianity, immersion, would be the preferred way for adult baptism. But if you believe baptism to be essential to salvation then you probably sprinkle infants rather than immerse them, or you view it more like circumcision, as a testimony and covenant of Christianity.<br /><br />As for the argument for predestination these verses seem to make a strong argument The writer seems to say God saved His people. In verse 26 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“A new heart I will give you” </span><span style="">then in verse 29 </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“I will save you from all your sin”</span> and in verse 31 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“then you shall remember your evil ways”</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> If we follow these scriptures it would be easy to assume salvation came before repentance, which would be in agreement with the argument for predestination, and contrary to the belief that repentance must precede salvation.<br /><br />I will only make this point, however we get it, salvation comes as a gift of God's grace. Our salvation depends wholly on God's grace, and not on our good works, or our repentance. We do not repent and do good works, so that God will love us, but rather, we repent and do good works, because we love God. In Romans 5:8 Paul says, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“God loved us while we were still sinners”</span>. I believe, because of that love, God does everything to entice us to Him and to establish a relationship with Him, but also allowing for our own free will, to accept or reject His gift of salvation.<br /><br />As our purpose statement says, we are the undeserving beneficiaries of God's intention. God's intention is that all “<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">be saved</span></span>” and he went to great lengths, on the cross, to make that happen, but still,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> some </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">doubt</span></span>, and others <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">do not believe</span></span>, nevertheless God loves them all and He loves you.<div><br /></div><div>How would you convince another of your relationship with God? What was your baptism, was it by water or by spirit? As a Christian, what is your reasonable responsibility to God?<p></p><p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Ba-uxHSYqM_EYRhoPbp7q1smoLNhEcBFhpvEmmkFFOG3FJHbbMWwE5t9kXY4wgoI6MRRkJH7jBzA-THLZkbfTO92040_znn6XflLBFW236HN3Y97cuqG2xSNrxKsDBXW_lMbKBNPj7R/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8Ba-uxHSYqM_EYRhoPbp7q1smoLNhEcBFhpvEmmkFFOG3FJHbbMWwE5t9kXY4wgoI6MRRkJH7jBzA-THLZkbfTO92040_znn6XflLBFW236HN3Y97cuqG2xSNrxKsDBXW_lMbKBNPj7R/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311235859263743330" border="0" /></a></p></div>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-68886350076884421792009-03-05T16:27:00.000-05:002009-03-16T09:11:00.696-04:00"New Leadership" Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending March 8, 2009<br /><br /></span></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To display confidence in God to provide servant leaders who will shepherd the lost, the least, and the neglected.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ezekiel 34:23-31 (NRSV)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background: </span>Ezekiel chapter 34<br /><br />Ezekiel 34:23-31<br />(23) I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. (24)And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.<br /><br />(25) I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild animals from the land, so that they may live in the wild and sleep in the woods securely. (26)I will make them and the region around my hill a blessing; and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. (27)The trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase. They shall be secure on their soil; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and save them from the hands of those who enslaved them. (28)They shall no more be plunder for the nations, nor shall the animals of the land devour them; they shall live in safety, and no one shall make them afraid. (29)I will provide for them splendid vegetation, so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the insults of the nations. (30)They shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, says the Lord God. (31)You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture,* and I am your God, says the Lord God.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><br /><br /></div>I think the first thing you should do when studying this lesson, is read Matthew 25: 31-46. The passage in Matthew is where Jesus talks about separating the sheep and the goats and the judgment is against the goats for not caring.<br /><br />In today's scripture text, Ezekiel says pretty much the same thing. It is important to read the entire 34th chapter to understand Ezekiel's message. Remember Ezekiel is a prophet and a priest. The chapter is an indictment of the Shepherds of Israel. The responsibility for Israel's plight is laid at the door of the greedy and cruel kings and priests who had exploited and led the people astray. It is against this background Ezekiel sees a vision of the Future Shepherd of God's people in the coming Messiah (see Vs. 15, 23, 24), under whom there shall be no more suffering, and “there shall be showers of blessing” (Vs. 26).<br /><br />Ezekiel shows his priestly side when he refers to “a covenant of peace”. This first appeared in Numbers 25:10-13, where God tells Moses to give the blessing to Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, and also promises an everlasting priesthood.<br /><br />After the kingdom of David was divided, the kings were more interested in seeing how much they could increase their own wealth, and they cared very little for the people. They were not servant leaders, as God had intended. Ezekiel sees a new leader, one that will protect, as well as feed his people, and they will be respected by the rest of the world. One could probably say that the nation of Israel today reflects Ezekiel's vision. The establishing of Israel as a nation, and their position as the most powerful nation in the Middle East, certainly looks like a fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy. But as Christians, we also know that the total fulfillment of this prophecy will not happen until Christ, “the prince among them” is established as the King.<br /><br />The question for us is this; Who is our king? How would you stack up as a servant leader? The parable of the shepherd and the sheep could use some updating. What would your modern day parable be? The most important question is; do we find ourselves counted with the sheep or the goats from Matthew 25?<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSvfbtwp4EjCZ0CeuiUX3lLpcmCQliF6kM_OqeSqZySb5wYOSBZ8Juy3plz2qb335yus8Ngkr6SblzFpyFu8kxaBzLUjlzwDosVYksRrilgvHMN-LSd5I9_8o6DsHEJMm3b3xckkeafXf/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSvfbtwp4EjCZ0CeuiUX3lLpcmCQliF6kM_OqeSqZySb5wYOSBZ8Juy3plz2qb335yus8Ngkr6SblzFpyFu8kxaBzLUjlzwDosVYksRrilgvHMN-LSd5I9_8o6DsHEJMm3b3xckkeafXf/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309818743881030738" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-54178395179035868362009-02-23T20:52:00.000-05:002009-03-16T09:11:00.697-04:00A New Spirit Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson </span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p><br /><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"> </o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Week Ending March 1, 2009<br /></span></span><br /><o:p></o:p></div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center; line-height: 16.5pt;" align="center"> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:16;color:black;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To recognize that no matter how bad things may look, God's Spirit is with us to empower and renew.<o:p></o:p><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Ezekiel 11:14-21 <o:p></o:p>(NRSV<o:p></o:p>)<br /><br />Ezekiel 11:14-21 (14) Then the word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> came to me: (15)Mortal, your kinsfolk, your own kin, your fellow exiles, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘They have gone far from the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>; to us this land is given for a possession.’ (16)Therefore say: Thus says the Lord <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>: Though I removed them far away among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a little while in the countries where they have gone. (17)Therefore say: Thus says the Lord <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>: I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. (18)When they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. (19)I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, (20)so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God. (21)But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, says the Lord God.<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <span style="font-size:20;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Today's purpose statement is very well suited for the current times, and something all of us need to embrace during the present financial crisis.<span style=""> </span>Although we have not been carried away to another country, our economic situation may put us in a place we do not recognize, we are someplace we have never been before.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />The Book of Ezekiel was written at a time when the elite and brightest of the Jewish nation had been carried away to a new country, and that included Ezekiel, an apprentice priest at the time.<span style=""> </span> Historically, because of Ezekiel's exact dating, we can say that at chapter 8:1, 14 months after the call of Ezekiel,<span style=""> </span> would be September 591 B.C. by our calendar.<br /><br />Consider the plight of those that were carried away into captivity. Away from the temple, out of their promised land, and in a relationship of slavery to pagan people, there was every opportunity for doubt and futility to seize their minds. No associations in their lives seemed to point them to God.<span style=""> </span>Amazingly we could say the same is true of every believer who must be separated from home, from the church of his youth and must go forth into a strange environment. The sense of God's presence and power, in fact God's reality, are sure to suffer.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p><br /><br />Ezekiel is faced with this problem, everything he had been taught, assumed God was abiding in the temple in Jerusalem in the land that God had given them.<span style=""> </span>Now he would be called to proclaim that is not true, God, in his vision, departs the temple and the city.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />God tells Ezekiel, even though you have been carried off,<span style=""> </span>I will still be a sanctuary, wherever you may be. (11:16) and he promises to restore them back to the land he already given them once, but there is a condition, <i style="">“they must remove the detestable, and all it's abominations”. (vs 18)<span style=""> </span></i>God's new promise is for a new heart, and if they obey, <i style="">“Then they shall be my people,and and I will be their God”. (vs20)<o:p></o:p></i><br /><br />So Ezekiel establishes the basic facts of religion. (1) God's existence (2) God's supreme sovereignty (3) God's revelation<span style=""> </span>(4) God's appointed ministers.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />How does this lesson apply to your situation today?<span style=""> </span>Is your God limited, to a place or a church building?<span style=""> </span>Your financial standing in your community? A linage? Do you have enough faith to grow spiritually, without any outside influence and away from your Christian friends and family?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cuIRzdf3NpO-pJoeStjHitltI29fJFiMMkQkxbf3WOICZSlKYYWTnyLqGsohTRwgm8CnpplGdUVLKnJqGhGevmlS4ta0BUaDVVTSSGNeK1UTeqBy8ly6pdo-de0ecJ7jQw6PD5_buzwG/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cuIRzdf3NpO-pJoeStjHitltI29fJFiMMkQkxbf3WOICZSlKYYWTnyLqGsohTRwgm8CnpplGdUVLKnJqGhGevmlS4ta0BUaDVVTSSGNeK1UTeqBy8ly6pdo-de0ecJ7jQw6PD5_buzwG/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306179053984828418" border="0" /></a><o:p></o:p>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-35118939240817375222009-02-16T14:54:00.000-05:002009-03-16T09:11:00.697-04:00Isaiah Answers God's Call -Sunday School Lesson<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br />For Week Ending February 22, 2009<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To respond to God's awesome presence with new or renewed commitment<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Isaiah 6:1-8 (NRSV)<br /><br />Isaiah 6:1-8 (1)In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. (2)Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. (3)And one called to another and said:‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;<br />the whole earth is full of his glory.’<br /><br />(4)The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. (5)And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’(6) Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. (7)The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ (8)Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">by Burgess Walter</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <span style="font-size:20;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> In this passage, Isaiah gives us the historical setting, the year that King Uzziah died. King Uzziah took the throne at the age of 16, his father, Amaziah, had been murdered and Uzziah (also called Azuriah) was chosen by the people to be king. Uzziah reigned for 52 years (810-758 BC) in the southern kingdom of Judah. He was considered a good king, his biggest mistake was trying to burn incense on the altar. Uzziah's success had caused him to become arrogant, he thought he was equal to a high priest and could burn incense on the altar. God struck him with leprosy. (2 Chronicles 26) and of course he was isolated from that day, till his death.<span style=""> </span>Uzziah's main counsel during his reign was Zechariah.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />The vision of Isaiah was spectacular and he is very descriptive in his telling of the vision. Snakes with wings, that could talk, I for one would have been out of there so fast. I don't even like snakes that have to crawl on the ground, let alone ones that could fly. I think in visions, even our own visions or images of God that we create in our mind, probably reflect our understanding of God at the time. I think Isaiah saw God as he imagined him, a God of might and power, one whose presence filled the temple, high and lifted up and in control, one whose voice shook the very foundation of the building.<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoBodyText"> <span style="font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> More importantly, Isaiah saw himself, a man of unclean lips, a man unfit for service. He also realized he was not the only one unworthy. He lived among many people in the same situation. As often happens, when we compare ourselves to a righteous and holy God, we are found wanting. <o:p></o:p><br /><br />I think the message of the seraphs is interesting; their words would become one of our favorite hymns, Holy, Holy, Holy.<span style=""> </span> I find the voice of Lord, “who will go for us” fascinating. Who is “us”?<span style=""> </span>The doctrine of the Trinity would come about thousand years later, yet God speaks in the plural. Certainly this is a hint of a Triune God.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />The entire vision is a blueprint for an order of service. We have the gathering, praise, adoration and worship, confession and pardon, a call for commitment, and a response to the call.<o:p></o:p> If our reading stops at verse 8 we think Isaiah has received this great call to go and proclaim the holiness and might and strength of the Lord. But his call is to tell those to <b style=""> <i style="">“keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.”<br /></i></b><br />Do you think Isaiah would have responded so positively if he had known what he was being called to do?<o:p></o:p> What is is your vision of God? What is your vision of yourself? Are you willing to heed the call, not knowing what you will be ask to do?<span style=""> </span>Knowing all of the above we are called to answer as Isaiah did. <b style=""><i style=""> “Here am I send </i></b><b style=""><i style="">me.”<br /><br /></i></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmy9m_qLFrZ1XM1Ifu2_c6theyP0Qc2wtbZv2tV_vWSQiWLl6KuSpIJTOxeoOQ1KJryM1gBOmye_89CfakXqKLgEbA3AfRhzT8BMsV_D0TzcNv1tQqpCOeI9qeb5gKnSDOzI7XzOMiTHf/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmy9m_qLFrZ1XM1Ifu2_c6theyP0Qc2wtbZv2tV_vWSQiWLl6KuSpIJTOxeoOQ1KJryM1gBOmye_89CfakXqKLgEbA3AfRhzT8BMsV_D0TzcNv1tQqpCOeI9qeb5gKnSDOzI7XzOMiTHf/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303492806544716258" border="0" /></a><br /><b style=""><i style=""> </i></b>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-86455233506574238752009-02-09T20:04:00.000-05:002009-03-16T09:11:00.697-04:00Esther Risks Her Life<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">For Week Ending February 15, 2009<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To understand that commitment to God involves overcoming fear and taking risk for the sake of personal and communal growth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text:</span> Esther 4:1-3, 9-17 (NRSV)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background:</span> Esther 4 & 5<br /><br />Esther 4:1-3, 9-17(1)When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; (2)he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. (3)In every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.<br /><br />(9) Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. (10)Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, (11)‘All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden sceptre to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.’(12)When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, (13)Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. (14)For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.’(15)Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, (16)‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ (17)Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>The book of Esther is a unique book in the Holy Scriptures, it is an amazing story that has everything we look for in a romantic mystery novel, sex, violence, intrigue and romance It also lacks the one thing that we would expect to find in Holy writ, God's name is never mentioned anywhere in this book, but He is definitely at work behind the scenes. The book is only 10 chapters long and can easily be read in an hour.</span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >To put the book in historical context it takes place about 486-465 BC. The nations of Judah and Israel had been in captivity for over 70 years as predicted by Jeremiah. During the reign of King Cyrus in 536 BC he dec</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>reed a return by Ezra, Nehemiah and others, the Babylonians have been overthrown by the Persians and Medes. Anyone that wished to, could return to Jerusalem. Many returned but some stayed in Persia or wherever they had been brought. Esther and her cousin Mordecai were some of those that stayed on in the city of Shushan about 150 miles north of the Persian Gulf, on the Ulai River, where Daniel had a vision (see Daniel 8), in modern day Iran.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The conflict in Esther between Mordecai and Haman goes all the way back to Esau and Jacob (see Gen. 36:12) (Ex. 17:14-16) (I Samuel 15:18) King Saul had lost his kingdom because he did not kill Agag, king of Amalek. God had told Moses they would be blotted out of history forever. With the history between the Agagites and the Jews, we can understand why Mordecai would not bow down to Haman.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The short version of this story is Haman got mad at Mordecai because he would not show him respect and decreed that all of the Jews would be slaughtered on a set day. Esther intervenes and Haman is hung on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, but the law of the Persian and Medes can not be changed so another decree goes out allowing the Jews to defend themselves.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our lesson looks at the maturing of Esther. Between verses 11 and 16, she goes from a passive attitude to a women in charge, and willing to risk her own life for sake of all the Jews. Esther reacted with high morals, spirituality and political savvy. Mordecai's words in verse 13 of our lesson <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">“Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this” </span></span>was the only challenge Esther needed.<br /><br />This story is celebrated in Jewish synagogues around the world as the “Feast of Purim.” (purim comes from the casting of lots to set the date of destruction for all of the Jews) A few years ago when I was teaching this lesson, I arranged for our group to attend the Purim celebration at a local synagogue. It is a skit done for the children and every time Haman's name is mentioned there are noise makers and clackers to drown out that name (as God commanded in Ex.) along with boo's and jeers. Conversely whenever Mordicai's name is mentioned there are cheers and celebrations. When the play or skit is over, there is a great feast of traditional Jewish foods. This is an event I would recommend all of you try to attend. Purim this year starts on Tuesday March 10th and last for 2 days. The story of Esther will never be the same after you have experience the “<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Feast of Purim</span>.” <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>Mos</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>t synagogues w</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>ould p</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>robably welc</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span>ome your group.</span></span><br /></div></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviUNE92hNT009imx1SmzhjRMNSuI_yQaDOh6du2FXPgbhy5F8HDFwpx0D9j9dBBdDIAxp_PnFAfFuWbwyEYCKJYSoi4c9Y_WfhH89d2XFWBiMR97jWDN3fkAy_TrO9yG42LCKAfIOC7-0/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviUNE92hNT009imx1SmzhjRMNSuI_yQaDOh6du2FXPgbhy5F8HDFwpx0D9j9dBBdDIAxp_PnFAfFuWbwyEYCKJYSoi4c9Y_WfhH89d2XFWBiMR97jWDN3fkAy_TrO9yG42LCKAfIOC7-0/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300974784151671234" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-69789415652686647772009-02-03T19:33:00.000-05:002009-03-16T09:11:00.698-04:00Nathan Challenges David<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">International Sunday School Lesson</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">For </span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week Ending February 8, 2009</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To acknowledge that words of confrontation can be God's words<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture Text: </span>2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 13-15 ( NRSV)<br /><br />2 Samuel 12:1-7a 13-15:(1)and the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, ‘There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. (2)The rich man had very many flocks and herds; (3)but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meagre fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. (4)Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.’ (5)Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; (6)he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.’ (7 )Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul;<br /><br />(13)David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan said to David, ‘Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die. (14)Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die.’ (15)Then Nathan went to his house.<br /><br />The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became very ill.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter<br /></span></div><br />As I read today's suggested scripture text, I can not help but think about the confrontations that have taken place recently in our own government. Whether it is with the Governor of New York or the Governor of Illinois, or cabinet appointees. All of these individuals have made serious mistakes, all have caused problems for those that trusted in them and had faith in their ability to lead. Like David, the hurt to others, may have been worse than the judgment brought onto them. I wonder what parable Nathan would have used in each of these confrontations?<br /><br />In reviewing our text, the prophet Nathan is first introduced in the 7th chapter of 2nd Samuel, as a prophet who was advising David on the building of a permanent house for the Ark of the Covenant. David is questioning why he should be living in a house made of cedar while God is still dwelling in a tent. From that encounter and today's passage there is not a lot of history on Nathan, later we know he advises Solomon during his rule. Obviously he was a very wise man, and knew how to confront the king.<br /><br />David had been very successful in his battles, but he may have become complacent or over confident. As with most of us, he began to slack off of his responsibilities, the more he prospered. In chapter 11 verse 1 it says, “in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">sent</span></span> Joab.” If David had been doing his job, he would not have been on the roof looking over at Bathsheba taking a bath in her own courtyard. I don't think it is a coincidence that these things happen when we have too much time on our hands. Just as, when we pray, coincidences happen for the good, so too, when we are idle, temptation comes calling.<br /><br />When we look at the characters involved in this story, David, Bathsheba, Uriah, Nathan, Joab, and the baby born to David and Bathsheba it might be hard to justify, in our own mind, the outcome of each individual. It is certainly hard to call it grace or mercy or even justice. It is a truth, that only a sovereign God can make, and He is the only one qualified to make the judgment call. We should all rejoice that we are not always held accountable for all of our actions, and that there is a chance for mercy and grace to work for the good of God's kingdom and for our own redemption.<br /><br />David becomes enraged when he hears Nathan's parable, about such a wicked man, and demands, as does the Law of Moses, a fourfold repayment,(see Exodus 22:1) and also demands the life of the wicked man. Then Nathan says those words that we hear on the golf course every time Tiger Woods or Phil tee off <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“You are the man”.</span> Through God's grace and mercy, David's life was spared, but the consequences of his sin still hurt, not only David, but Bathsheba and Uriah and the unnamed baby. David paid with the life of four sons, Uriah died with honor and was certainly portrayed as more moral and upright, even while drunk, than David. David lost his power and his wives to one of his own sons, David, to his credit, repented. But the consequence of his sin did not go away. He was not able to build God the Temple that he wanted to build.<br /><br />There are times when it is necessary to confront someone about the life they are living or the work habits they have, it is also possible that we should be confronted by another saint, or family member or friend about our own habits, or shortcomings. How will we respond? God loves a broken and contrite heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p8uW4KO_JoYTzpT00azu1NJbYIlXEbm66C0ghfc1O86vRaoYSCnjg9rLXSQke5om_tccJeB96girxdLP33XuDWbTPsZVqzdY-5wD9tf2bzExnYBCdWvagTJ_GTfuTrZvblpE50SpA8tU/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p8uW4KO_JoYTzpT00azu1NJbYIlXEbm66C0ghfc1O86vRaoYSCnjg9rLXSQke5om_tccJeB96girxdLP33XuDWbTPsZVqzdY-5wD9tf2bzExnYBCdWvagTJ_GTfuTrZvblpE50SpA8tU/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298739955128526114" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8646923657373787793.post-22535088750987444392009-01-29T15:00:00.000-05:002009-03-16T09:11:00.698-04:00A Shunammite Woman Helps<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Sunday School Lesson</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">For </span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week Ending February 1, 2009</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p></span><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose:</span> To Affirm generous hospitality as an essential expression of commitment to God<span style=";font-family:";font-size:14;color:maroon;" ><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scriptu</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">re Text:</span> 2 Kings 4:8-17 (NRSV<o:p></o:p>)<br /><br />KINGS 4:8-17 (8)One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal. (9)She said to her husband, ‘Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God.(10)Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us.’<o:p></o:p><br /><br />(11) One day when he came there, he went up to the chamber and lay down there. (12)He said to his servant Gehazi, ‘Call the Shunammite woman.’ When he had called her, she stood before him. (13)He said to him, ‘Say to her, Since you have taken all this trouble for us, what may be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’ She answered, ‘I live among my own people.’ (14)He said, ‘What then may be done for her?’ Gehazi answered, ‘Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.’ (15)He said, ‘Call her.’ When he had called her, she stood at the door. (16)He said, ‘At this season, in due time, you shall embrace a son.’ She replied, ‘No, my lord, O man of God; do not deceive your servant.’<br /><br /><o:p></o:p>(17 )The woman conceived and bore a son at that season, in due time, as Elisha had declared to her.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Thoughts by Burgess Walter</span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:18;" ><o:p> </o:p></span><br /></span></div><br />If you are like me, you always get confused between Elisha and Elijah, so let's separate them in our collective minds. Elijah came first, and was a great prophet of God. He was a Bedouin, a Tishbite, he had long thick hair hanging down his back, and he was taken up in a chariot of fire at his death as Elisha watched. Interestingly Elijah wore a Sheep skin mantle over his shoulders and on this day he took the mantle, rolled it up and struck the Jordan River and it parted for him and Elisha. This took place outside of Jericho, probably the same place where Joshua used the Ark to part the waters of the Jordan in our lesson a few weeks ago.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><br /><br />While Elijah was a Bedouin and had lots of hair, Elisha was more conventional and was called bald after he watched Elijah go up to heaven in a whirlwind and chariots of fire.<o:p></o:p> Elijah was the master or teacher and Elisha was the student, but Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of God's blessing, as Elijah was about to depart, and he receives that blessing as evidenced by seeing Elijah translated or carried away.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />To put all of these events into a time frame, it should be noted all of this took place about 100 year after David had presided over a unified kingdom. After the death of Solomon, the nation was divided into the northern kingdom called Israel, and a southern kingdom called Judah. Both Elijah and Elisha were prophets primarily to the northern kingdom, which did not have one good king, in its entire history. The southern kingdom of Judah had a few good kings. Each kingdom had 19<span style=""> </span>kings, but the southern kingdom lasted about 136 years longer than the northern kingdom.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><br /><br />Our text for today takes place in the northern kingdom in the town of<span style=""> </span>Shunem. It is a story of hospitality and commitment. In today's world, what the Shunammite woman did, is almost unheard of. But<span style=""> </span>growing up in rural Indiana in the 40's and 50's it was quite common for this type of hospitality. I can remember people whose car broke down<span style=""> </span>spending the night, feeding them, giving them a bed, even paying for the repairs, but of course, they had to go with us to church on Sunday morning.<span style=""> </span>My mother, who is 90 plus at this writing, often fed anybody that needed a meal, and even on holidays, she would invite anybody that did not have a place to go.<br /><br />When did we become so cynical, and so afraid of extending the hand of fellowship and hospitality? It was never that way in Mayberry, where Andy, Barney and Aunt Bee lived. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><br /><br />The Shunammite woman was not looking for anything from the prophet, but just wanted to make sure God's servant was provided for. When Elisha<span style=""> </span>offers her something she had longed for, she is still reluctant to accept for fear it would not happen and she would be disappointed.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>She could have easily missed God's blessing, but because she accepted this blessing and gave birth to a son, she would receive another blessing, when the son becomes sick and Elisha has to bring him back from the dead.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><br /><br />How different for Elisha's servant, Gehazi. Later in the next chapter we find Elisha healing<span style=""> </span>Naaman of leprosy and Naaman offers him a substantial amount of money and goods. Elisha refuses, but his servant Gehazi decides he will benefit from his masters good works and he will go and get the bounty for himself. When Elisha finds out he gives his servant Gehazi, Naaman's leprosy.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><br /><br />It has been said, that God loves us because of who God is, not because of who we are. But as followers of God it is our responsibility to be God like, and that means loving people not because of who they are, but because of whom we worship and live for. Being a Christian is being like Christ.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>St. Francis of Assisi says it this way; <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life".</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcnHojylHq7E2k0qgDxTeDeIQHueMbM8UkEpw5La8NuReOGvXvS1aEInV7-nix6VQlIgr2DdNiEoOztUKXLVQlT3l7sY-orGaYtf7hhj7DdNY3TO91LF-8-w-0ent6XOe3TwP8GBD7J7b/s1600-h/Burgess.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcnHojylHq7E2k0qgDxTeDeIQHueMbM8UkEpw5La8NuReOGvXvS1aEInV7-nix6VQlIgr2DdNiEoOztUKXLVQlT3l7sY-orGaYtf7hhj7DdNY3TO91LF-8-w-0ent6XOe3TwP8GBD7J7b/s320/Burgess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296336529310032914" border="0" /></a>Burgess Walterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708697507150405111noreply@blogger.com0