Bible Expositor and Illuminator

Transcription

1 Bible Expositor and Illuminator June, July, August 2018 SUMMER QUARTER For Adults Ages 26 & Up

2 Vol. XC No. 3 Bible Expositor and Illuminator SUMMER QUARTER June, July, August 2018 Looking Ahead... 2 Editorials... 3 Justice in the New Testament UNIT I: Our Just and Merciful God June 3 Justice and Sabbath Laws Matt. 12: June 10 Parables of God s Just Kingdom Matt. 13: June 17 Teachings on Justice Matt. 15: June 24 Reaping God s Justice Luke 16: UNIT II: Calls for Justice and Mercy July 1 Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Matt. 18: July 8 Unjust Leaders Matt. 23:1-8, July 15 The Widow and the Unjust Judge Luke 18: July 22 Entering God s Kingdom Luke 13: July 29 Parable of the Great Dinner Luke 14: UNIT III: New Life in Christ Aug. 5 God s Justice Rom. 2: Aug. 12 Sharing with Those in Need II Cor. 8: Aug. 19 Practicing Genuine Love Rom. 12: Aug. 26 Practicing Godly Virtues Col. 3: Topics for Next Quarter Paragraphs on Places and People Daily Bible Readings Review Editor in Chief: Todd Williams Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $4.65 per quarter* $18.60 per year* *shipping and handling extra ISBN Lessons based on International Sunday School Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright 2014 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 It has been widely recognized by Bible students and teachers that justice is a major theme in the Old Testament. This is especially true in the Mosaic Law and in the Hebrew prophets. What is not as widely recognized is that the theme of justice is also significant in the New Testament, albeit not in the same manner as in the Old. By definition, justice has to do with what is right, especially in the eyes of God. It also refers to that which occurs when wrongdoers are held accountable for their evil deeds. But as we know, justice is sometimes meted out in this world, and at other times, it is not. There will be a future day of reckoning, however. Five of the lessons this quarter come from the Gospel of Matthew; four are from the Gospel of Luke. The remaining four lessons come from three of Paul s epistles. Several of the lessons from the Gospels revolve around parables of Jesus. Among those studied will be the parables of the tares, the mustard seed, and the leaven, all illustrating something about God s kingdom. Another parable studied will be the story of the unforgiving servant, highlighting the importance of extending to others the pardon we have received from above. The vivid account of the rich man and Lazarus will show that justice is not always realized in this world. The parable dealing with an unjust judge and a widow who persistently sought vindication will also be considered, as well as the parable of the great dinner. Three lessons revolve around conflicts Christ had with the Pharisees, the respected religious leaders of His day. These men thought their position in God s kingdom was secure. Jesus, however, made it clear that their unjust actions and attitudes were evidence that they did not really know God. Finally, from Paul s letters we will study what new life in Christ entails. Of course, we will just scratch the surface in this regard. We will nevertheless consider such topics as sharing with those in need and how to practice Christian love. In the end, we know that God s justice will be fair and flawless. But if God dealt with us only on the basis of justice, we would all be eternally doomed. It is only because God s wrath was poured out on Jesus Christ on the cross that we have the hope of eternal life. John Alva Owston. PLEASE NOTE: Fundamental, sound doctrine is the objective of the Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division. 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 Fulfilling the Law of Love JAMES JORDAN When Jesus began to prepare His disciples for His death on the cross, He told them He was giving them a new commandment to love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35). Jesus told them they should love one another the same way He loved them, for He was preparing to lay down His life for them, offering Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of everyone. While Jesus ultimate purpose in coming to earth was to die on the cross and to rise again, much of His message revolved around how we should treat one another. How we relate to others has always been important in God s economy. Six of the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses involved how we conduct ourselves toward others. In a sense, the commandments point to what love is. The Scriptures reveal that the problem of sin originated with the first people. Adam and Eve became sinful when they fell for the lies of the devil, but in the case of their children, Cain and Abel, the problem of sin was already inborn. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and pride, not because an outside source tempted him. He was upset that God liked Abel s sacrifice better, and rather than simply offering the sacrifice God preferred, he killed his brother. Our human nature leads us to seek our own interests. The impulse to harm our brother or neighbor when we see our interests threatened afflicts all of us. Later in Genesis, we see the story of Joseph and how his brothers sold him after beating him up over a coat of many colours (37:3). Joseph is often seen as a type of Christ. He was sold by his brothers and falsely accused by his owners; yet he always forgave. He forgave his brothers when he met them years later, and he was in a position of power over them. He told them, But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive (50:20). Joseph no doubt understood the type of love God desired. The Old Testament books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus gave Israel instruction on living in the kingdom that God was going to give them. Most of that instruction involved how they were to treat one another. The law became very important to the Jews, as it should have since it contained God s commandments. But after a time people got caught up in the minute details of the law and their traditions and often forgot about loving one another. Obedience to a set of rules became more important than the truth of loving others and looking out for their best interests. The Pharisees were often testing Jesus, trying to catch Him in some mistake or false teaching. They thought they were looking out for God by protecting the people from a potential false teacher. Yet they missed Jesus and His message because of their focus on the minute details of the law. In fact, it was not really the law itself that posed the problem. Jesus, who was faultless, overstepped some of the Pharisees traditions, but He never transgressed the law itself. In Matthew 12, we read of Jesus and the disciples walking through a field and (Editorials continued on page 186) Bible Expositor and Illuminator 3

5 LESSON 1 JUNE 3, 2018 Scripture Lesson Text MATT. 12:1 At that time Je sus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Phar i-sees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what Da vid did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14 Then the Phar i-sees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. NOTES 4

6 Justice and Sabbath Laws Lesson: Matthew 12:1-14 Read: Matthew 12:1-21 TIME: A.D. 28 PLACE: Galilee GOLDEN TEXT If ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless (Matthew 12:7). Introduction Theologically speaking, Jesus and the Pharisees would have often been on the same page; that is, they would have agreed on many doctrinal issues. The problem, however, was that the Pharisees had come up with many rules that were of human origin and were, in fact, based on traditions handed down to them throughout the centuries. To be sure, Christians are to adhere as closely as possible to the teachings of Scripture. But when followers of Christ are at odds with one another, it is often not about what the Bible actually says. Upon close examination, many conflicts arise over the interpretation of Scripture and various religious practices, some of which are really traditions. The possibility, therefore, of becoming a modern Pharisee is an ever-present danger for the serious disciple. LESSON OUTLINE I. SABBATH COMPLAINT Matt. 12:1-8 II. SABBATH CURE Matt. 12:9-14 Exposition: Verse by Verse SABBATH COMPLAINT MATT. 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have ye not read in the law, Bible Expositor and Illuminator 5 June 3, 2018