"New Life in Christ " Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending May 10, 2009

Purpose: To acknowledge how necessary God's grace is to move us from the blindness and helplessness of sin to a life of good works.

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)

Ephesians 2:1-10
(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

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. “You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived”. 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 “the course of this world”. And so doing the writer says we were following “the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient”. The author is clear in proclaiming those outside of Christ are lost, and the same as dead.

The reasoning then, is if we follow our own desires and we are in bondage to “the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses”, we are separated from God and in need of being restored to God as one of His children, as God intended us to be. “We were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else”. Then we have the most important two words in this text “But God”. Despite our own perverse will, God's plan for us is something other than death. “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”. This passage of scripture emphasizes the here and now as opposed to some distant happiness, and that reveals the tensions with other passages. In Romans 5:1-11, Paul seems to say “not yet” compared with today's “already”. Romans 5:9 states “while we have been justified, we will be saved.” 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, “made us alive together with Christ”.

Paul's logic concerning salvation sometimes seems unclear or hard to follow, but in today's text it seems to be presented in a nice uncomplicated package. “For by grace you have been saved through faith”. Our salvation is God's work and not ours; “we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” Paul states something similar when he describes the “fruits of the spirit” in Galatians 5:22-25. James states “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17). A little saying has been making the rounds lately but it is well worth repeating here “God loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way”.

Why do you think you deserve a place in heaven? Which do you prefer, the plan for salvation found in Romans 5 or the one found in Ephesians 2? Why? Both have been canonized so both are applicable, both are the word of God for the people of God.

"New Family in Christ" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending May 3, 2009

Purpose: To celebrate all that God has done to make us God's own adopted children

Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 (NRSV)

Ephesians 1:3-14
(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

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.

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.

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.

The text opens with praise, much as the Lord's Prayer, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. 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 “God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love”. 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.

In verse five, it says, “He destined us for adoption as his children”, the Greek word rendered “destined” here literally means “foresaw”. 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, “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”. Then the Holy Spirit becomes our “pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people”.

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.

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?

"Bringing New Life to Those in Need" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending April 26, 2009

Purpose: To offer assurance that through the life and witness of the church, we can extend Christ's power and presence in times of need.

Scripture Text: Acts 9:32-43 (NRSV)

Acts 9:32-43
(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.

(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

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).

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 “that all should be saved”. However we may miss the importance of Peter's prayer, “Jesus Christ heals you”. 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.

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.

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 “thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”. 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.

"Witnesses to New Life" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending April 19, 2009

Purpose: To demonstrate that despite our fears, the risen Christ empowers us to worship and witness.

Scripture Text: Luke 24:44-53 (NRSV)

Background: Luke 24:36-53

Luke 24:44-53
(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.’

(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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)

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:“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”. Today's lesson is simply preparing the disciples to do the work of witnessing to “the ends of the earth”.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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”.

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.

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

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"Resurrected Unto New Life" Easter Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending April 12, 2009

Purpose: To celebrate Christ's resurrection and the new life it makes possible.

Scripture Text: Luke 24:1-12 (NRSV)

Luke 24:1-12
(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

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 “they provided for Him out of their resources”. 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.

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.

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?

The women of Luke received a special blessing because they knew what they saw, after Peter makes his own inspection he too is “amazed at what had happened”.

The Gospels tell the story of the resurrection from differing view points, but the story remains the same, Christ is risen. 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?

"Suffering Unto Death" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending April 5, 2009

Purpose: To discover through Jesus' suffering and death what true victory is.

Scripture Text: Luke 23:32-46(NRSV)

Luke 23:32-46
(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!’

(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.’

(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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) “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”.

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.

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.

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.

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 “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lighting”. 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.

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.

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?

Envisioning New Life - Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending March 29, 2009

Purpose: To rejoice that the waters of God's mercy make the barren wastelands of our lives blossom and thrive

Lesson Text: Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NRVS)

Ezekiel 47:1-12
(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.

(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?’

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.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

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, “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”.

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.

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).

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.

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?

"Prophesying New Life" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending March 22,2009

Purpose: To affirm hope in God's ability to bring new life into hopeless situations.

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14(NRSV)

Ezekiel 37:1-14
(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.’

(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.

(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.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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, “our hope is lost; we are cut off completely” (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.

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.

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 “Can these bones live?” and Ezekiel's answer shows that Ezekiel believes “with God all things are possible”. (MATT 14:26)

Belief is the first requirement from God. The second step is they must hear and receive God's word “hear the word of the Lord.” The third part is that they must receive the breath of God or the Spirit of God. “I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.” After Ezekiel spoke, the bones began to join themselves together, but he also had to prophesy to the breath, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.”

Just as John records “in the beginning was the Word” 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.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.

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. "Because I live, ye shall live also". John 14:19

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, “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?” How should that affect the way you do ministry?

"God's People Restored Again" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending March 15, 2009

Purpose: To lead us to a fuller awareness that we are the undeserving beneficiaries of God's intention to be true to God's character

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 36:22-32 (NRSV)

Ezekiel 36:22-32
(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.

(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

The other two tensions have to do with the arguments of predestination and baptism. Note that in verse 25 it says “I will sprinkle clean water on you”. This verse along with Romans 10:22 (“having our hearts sprinkled and --- our bodies washed”) 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.

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 “A new heart I will give you” then in verse 29 “I will save you from all your sin” and in verse 31 “then you shall remember your evil ways”. 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.

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, “God loved us while we were still sinners”. 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.

As our purpose statement says, we are the undeserving beneficiaries of God's intention. God's intention is that all “be saved” and he went to great lengths, on the cross, to make that happen, but still, some doubt, and others do not believe, nevertheless God loves them all and He loves you.

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?

"New Leadership" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending March 8, 2009

Purpose: To display confidence in God to provide servant leaders who will shepherd the lost, the least, and the neglected.

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 34:23-31 (NRSV)

Background: Ezekiel chapter 34

Ezekiel 34:23-31
(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.

(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

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).

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.

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.

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?

A New Spirit Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending March 1, 2009

Purpose: To recognize that no matter how bad things may look, God's Spirit is with us to empower and renew.

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 11:14-21 (NRSV)

Ezekiel 11:14-21 (14) Then the word of the Lord 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 Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.’ (16)Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: 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 God: 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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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. 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.

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. Historically, because of Ezekiel's exact dating, we can say that at chapter 8:1, 14 months after the call of Ezekiel, would be September 591 B.C. by our calendar.

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. 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.

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. Now he would be called to proclaim that is not true, God, in his vision, departs the temple and the city.

God tells Ezekiel, even though you have been carried off, 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, “they must remove the detestable, and all it's abominations”. (vs 18) God's new promise is for a new heart, and if they obey, “Then they shall be my people,and and I will be their God”. (vs20)

So Ezekiel establishes the basic facts of religion. (1) God's existence (2) God's supreme sovereignty (3) God's revelation (4) God's appointed ministers.

How does this lesson apply to your situation today? Is your God limited, to a place or a church building? 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?

Isaiah Answers God's Call -Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending February 22, 2009

Purpose: To respond to God's awesome presence with new or renewed commitment

Scripture Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 (NRSV)

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;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’

(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!’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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. Uzziah's main counsel during his reign was Zechariah.

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.

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.

I think the message of the seraphs is interesting; their words would become one of our favorite hymns, Holy, Holy, Holy. I find the voice of Lord, “who will go for us” fascinating. Who is “us”? 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.

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. 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 “keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.”

Do you think Isaiah would have responded so positively if he had known what he was being called to do? 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? Knowing all of the above we are called to answer as Isaiah did. “Here am I send me.”

Esther Risks Her Life

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending February 15, 2009

Purpose: To understand that commitment to God involves overcoming fear and taking risk for the sake of personal and communal growth.

Scripture Text: Esther 4:1-3, 9-17 (NRSV)

Background: Esther 4 & 5

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.

(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.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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.

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 decreed 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.

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.

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.

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 “Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this” was the only challenge Esther needed.

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 “Feast of Purim.” Most synagogues would probably welcome your group.

Nathan Challenges David

International Sunday School Lesson

For Week Ending February 8, 2009

Purpose: To acknowledge that words of confrontation can be God's words

Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 13-15 ( NRSV)

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;

(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.

The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became very ill.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

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?

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.

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 sent 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.

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.

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 “You are the man”. 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.

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.