Bible Expositor and Illuminator

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1 Bible Expositor and Illuminator Large-Print Edition June, July, August 2016 SUMMER QUARTER

2 Vol. VII No. 3 Bible Expositor and Illuminator Large-Print Edition SUMMER QUARTER June, July, August 2016 Looking Ahead... 2 Editorials... 3 Toward a New Creation UNIT I: Judgment and Salvation June 5 The Day of the Lord Zeph. 1:4-6, 14-16; 2: June 12 The Consequences of Disobedience Zeph. 3: June 19 Joy for the Faithful Zeph. 3:9-14, UNIT II: A World Gone Wrong June 26 Ignoring God s Clear Truth Rom. 1:18-23, July 3 Ignoring the Law s Requirements Rom. 2: July 10 Under Sin s Power Rom. 3: July 17 Set Right by Grace Rom. 3: UNIT III: Life on God s Terms July 24 Not Without Hope Rom. 5: July 31 Raised to New Life Rom. 6:1-4, 12-14, Aug. 7 Safe in God s Love Rom. 8: Aug. 14 Dependent on God s Mercy Rom. 9: Aug. 21 Grafted into the Promise Rom. 11: Aug. 28 Love Fulfills the Law Matt. 22:35-40; Rom. 12:1-2; 13: Topics for Next Quarter Paragraphs on Places and People Daily Bible Readings Review Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $5.45 per quarter* $21.80 per year* *shipping and handling extra ISBN Lessons based on International Sunday School Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series and used with permission. Edited and published quarterly by The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, 2000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio Mailing address: P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio

3 LOOKING AHEAD Sin and God s judgment for sin are prominent subjects in Scripture. Beginning with its entrance into the world in Genesis 3, the Bible traces sin and its effects throughout the history of mankind. Alongside this emphasis on human sin, however, we find the all-important biblical teaching of salvation. Our study this quarter begins with three lessons from the short book of Zephaniah, which speaks of both judgment and salvation. Zephaniah s warning in our first lesson about the coming Day of the Lord has much to say to us today, for we live in a similar immoral environment. The second lesson reminds us of God s holiness and the dire consequences of living unholy lives. Lesson 3, however, shows us that God is also gracious. There is always hope, for God Himself offers it to all who look to Him in faith. Lessons 4 through 7, from the book of Romans, give us a theological perspective on humanity s great problem of sin. We must understand and acknowledge our sin before it can be adequately dealt with. Lesson 4 details the sad progression of sin in the human race, and lessons 5 and 6 demonstrate that Jews, like their Gentile counterparts, are under the power of sin. Lesson 7 begins to set forth the hope of salvation that is available to all those who confess their sin. The final six lessons, also from Romans, focus on various aspects of the new life God has graciously given to those who believe in Christ. Romans 5 (lesson 8) spells out many of the blessings we inherit in Christ. In lesson 9 we learn how important theology is in our battle with temptation and sin. The key to victory is knowing what God has already accomplished for us in Christ. Lessons 10 and 11 teach us about God s power and sovereignty. His power keeps us safely in His love, and His sovereignty guarantees that He can be trusted, even when we do not understand His purposes. Lesson 12 comes from Romans 11 and deals with the place of the Jewish people in God s plan. His plans for the Jews remain intact and provide a warning for us not to become arrogant or boastful. The final lesson brings us back to our most basic duties as Christians. It tells us and shows us how to love both God and people. Jarl K. Waggoner. PLEASE NOTE: The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, most earnestly endeavors to proclaim fundamentally sound doctrine. The writers are prayerfully selected for their Bible knowledge and yieldedness to the Spirit of Truth, each writing in his own style as enlightened by the Holy Spirit. At best we know in part only. They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11). 2

4 EDITORIALS The Cost of Disobedience JAMES JORDAN When we are saved, we are adopted into God s family. We have what is sometimes called fire insurance, but it is much more than a ticket to heaven. As I Peter 2:9 says, Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. God has saved us for a reason. Part of that reason is to shine the light so that others may be saved, and another part of that reason is so that we may have a special relationship with our God. The Apostle Paul wrote, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (I Cor. 2:9). There are many promises in the Bible and many examples in the Scriptures in which people were blessed because they loved God. As adopted children of God, there are many blessings that God wants to pour out on us. Now greed and selfishness are sins, and we cannot demand blessings from God just for our own enjoyment. Even so, God does want us to enjoy life and the blessings we receive, and He wants us to use those blessings to do what is in accordance with His will. There are also examples of people in Scripture who were not blessed because they refused to obey or believe. God has never abandoned His children when they have been disobedient. However, there are repercussions to a lack of faith, which results in disobedience. It started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They were put in what was a perfect environment. Everything was provided for them, or at least things were provided so that they could feed themselves and do the tasks God had for them to do. They walked with God and knew God. Eventually they were deceived and sinned and fell out of that perfect relationship. They forfeited all the blessings of the perfect environment they had enjoyed in Eden. Genesis 3 tells us that Adam and Eve used fig leaves to try to hide themselves because they had sinned and now realized they were naked. God gave them a covering of skins, which was in essence a covering for their sin. God did not abandon them, but they lost the blessings they had known before their disobedience. We cannot blame them for causing the sin problem, however. We are not guilty of their disobedience in the garden. All of us are, however, guilty of our own disobedience. Romans 5:12 explains that while sin entered the world through one person Adam the truth is that all sin. When God wanted to deliver His people out of Egypt, He sent Moses to deliver them. Even as they were being delivered, they complained and murmured against Moses. Finally, He led them to the edge of the Promised Land, an inheritance they had been granted. They had seen God part the waters and deliver them from the Egyptians. They had seen many miracles, yet they refused to believe. Numbers 13 records the story of Moses sending scouts into the Promised Land. They came back and reported that indeed it was beautiful land but that there were giants and strong (Continued on page 186) Bible Expositor and Illuminator 3

5 LESSON 1 JUNE 5, 2016 Scripture Lesson Text ZEPH. 1:4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Ju dah, and upon all the inhabitants of Je-ru sa-lem; and I will cut off the remnant of Ba al from this place, and the name of the Chem a-rims with the priests; 5 And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Mal cham; 6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him. 14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD S anger. NOTES 4

6 The Day of the Lord Lesson: Zephaniah 1:4-6, 14-16; 2:3 Read: Zephaniah 1:2 2:4 TIME: roughly B.C. PLACE: Jerusalem GOLDEN TEXT Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord s anger (Zephaniah 2:3). Introduction Divine judgment is a major theme in the Prophets. Many of the prophets warned of coming judgment, and many, like Jeremiah, paid a heavy price for faithfully passing on God s warning that continuing to spurn His law would bring disastrous consequences on God s chosen people. The message of coming judgment, however, is not limited to the Old Testament prophets. Indeed, judgment is a major theme throughout the Bible. Jesus did not hesitate to speak of eternal judgment, and the last book of the Bible pictures in horrifying detail what divine judgment looks like. Sometime in the seventh century B.C., God called a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah to deliver a message to His people. That prophet s name was Zephaniah, and his message was a powerful declaration of coming judgment upon the nation. Zephaniah lived in a moral climate much like our own. Apostasy from the true faith was widespread. False religion was everywhere, and justice was hard to find. Materialism dominated people s lives and turned them away from God s revealed truth. Zephaniah s warnings for Judah centuries ago thus provide important lessons for us today. LESSON OUTLINE I. JUDGMENT IS COMING Zeph. 1:4-6 II. JUDGMENT IS NEAR Zeph. 1:14-16 III. HOPE IS PRESENT Zeph. 2:3 Exposition: Verse by Verse JUDGMENT IS COMING ZEPH. 1:4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; 5 And them that worship the host Bible Expositor and Illuminator 5 June 5, 2016