Faith!

Faith!

      Faith, which is a gift from God, is the ability to believe the seemingly impossible things which God has promised and is able to do for us. Our faith is not strong enough to accomplish much for God. Faith comes by praying, fasting, and hearing the word of God.

      God grants the power and faith to expect great things from him and do great things for his glory when we sincerely draw near unto him, and seek his face and fellowship.

      If we could have genuine faith, even as small as a grain of mustard seed, and if we are in partnership with God, nothing shall be impossible to us.

      “And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, saying, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17: 14-21.

Almost Persuaded!

Almost Persuaded!

      If perchance someone may be reading these lines who is not a Christian, and does not know what it means to be saved, and you do not have the joy of fellowship with our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you ought to stop right where you are and consider the alternatives.

      It is possible to have a pearl of great price slip through your fingers and be lost to you forever, and it is possible to be so close to much treasure, and yet to lose or neglect it all.

      Perhaps a wife or husband; a mother or father; or a son or a daughter has been praying for your salvation. Perhaps they have very lovingly told you of Jesus and his power to save. Perhaps they have very patiently and kindly explained to you God's simple plan of salvation. It may be that at times the Holy Spirit has tugged at your heart and you have been almost persuaded, almost but not yet, another time, when I am older, after I have exhausted all the pleasures of a worldly lifestyle; almost persuaded to believe and trust Jesus, almost, but still lost.

      You, no doubt have heard the gospel preached at church, or on the radio, or television, or from literature such as you are now reading, and yet you continue to neglect your salvation.

      My dear friend or relative, whoever you may be, millions throughout the ages have tried and tested the Word of God and have found it to be sure and steadfast and trustworthy. The Word of God teaches us that it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. All must stand before God and give an account for what he did with God's greatest gift to mankind, his only begotten son, the Lord Jesus Christ: That whosoever should believe on him and call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

      My friend, the only alternative to being saved is to be lost, and to be lost does not mean cessation of existence or annihilation, but it means to spend eternity in an eternal hell, and separated from
God forever.

      “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will”? Hebrews 2: 3,4.

      If you have neglected your salvation, won't you reconsider before it is eternally too late?

Keep On Sowing!

Keep On Sowing!

      When we go forth to sow the seed of the word of God, we must expect that not every single seed that we sow will take root and grow and bring forth fruit for the glory of God.

      Just as when the farmer sows seeds of grain, some seed will fall by the wayside and be lost, or the birds will devour them. Some seeds fall into rocky places where there is not much to nurture them, and they are left for the sun to wither them away. Some seeds fall among thorns which choke them up and hinder their growth.

      When the word of God falls upon an unsaved person's ears for the first time, if God has not prepared that person's heart to receive the seed of the word, even as the farmer has prepared the soil to receive the grain seed, then the seed falls upon dry ground, and Satan is ever around and ready to snatch away the seed of the word of God;

      Some people have had their hearts stirred by God and are ready to receive God's truth, and for a little while the seeds spring forth, but before long the heart is dried up and hardened by trials and tribulations, and no fruit is produced. Then there is the seed that has fallen among thorns. The thorns represent those who at one time, with joy and gladness, have received the word of God, and for a time it sprang up in them to produce healthy plants for the Lord and for a season bore fruit; but because of associations with the wrong kinds of people, or associations with worldly things, the cares and riches of the world, have choked them and now they no longer grow and bear fruit.

      But there is always that small percentage of seed which is sown and falls into good ground. The good ground is the person who hears the word and understands it, and in him the word grows and bears fruit.

      We who are sowers of the word of God must not become discouraged when some of our seed falls by the wayside, or upon dry ground, or among thorns, because some will always fall upon good ground. That which falls upon good ground will bring forth abundantly for the Lord.

      “And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth, and when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them, but other fell unto good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13: 3-9.

      “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath he no root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulations or persecutions arise then because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed unto good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit ,and bringeth forth some an hundred fodl, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13: 18-23.

We Are What We Speak!

We Are What We Speak!

      The words that proceed from our mouth echo the thoughts and intentions of our heart. The heart, or our innermost being, is the place where the spirit of God dwells, or the spirit of the devil and evil. When the spirit of evil dominates the heart, no good thing can come from our lips, but when the spirit of God dominates the heart, the words of our mouth brings forth good things.

      As a cesspool when open to the air gives foul odors, so the corrupt evil heart of man sends forth a stench from the mouth which speaks blasphemy, and dishonors God and pollutes men. Only after the heart of man is cleansed and purified, and purged of all evil, and the Holy Spirit enter in, by having received Christ as savior, will the words of our mouth have a sweet fragrance and be pleasing to God and edify man.

      Be careful little tongue what you speak, for God holds us accountable for every word that proceeds from our lips.

      “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12: 34-37.

Sunday School Lessons For Juniors - 4th, 5th, 6th grades

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS FOR JUNIORS – 4TH, 5TH, & 6TH GRADE

BY: Robert A. Searles

ORIENTATION – GET ACQUAINTED LESSON FOR PROMOTION SUNDAY

What does it mean to be a 4^th, grader?

Ans) Well, it means that a whole year has passed since you went into the third grade.

It means that you have probably grown a few inches taller, and may be a little fatter.

It means that a whole new school year has begun.

It means that you have new teachers, and perhaps a new room

It means that you are no longer little babies, and are now ready to learn some new and exciting things.

As fourth graders, and no longer babies, there are some rules that we must be aware of and learn to obey.

1. We must remember to always go to the boys room or the girls room as soon as we get off the bus or as soon as we come to Sunday School. Once the Sunday School class begins, no one will be allowed to leave the room unless it is an absolute emergency.

2.We must never bring our toys or food to class. Toys must be left at home or given to the teacher to keep for you until the end of the class period.

3 We must never run or push or shove, or do anything that might cause you or someone else to get hurt.

4. We must consider each and every one of us here in the class as our Sunday School church family, and be kind and helpful to one another.
5. During the teaching time, no one is to talk out loud or interrupt the teacher or make any disturbance that would cause someone else not to hear the lesson.

4. We must learn to sit up in our seats, with our feet on the floor and our eyes straight ahead on the teacher and be paying close attention and be able to answer questions.

7. If we have something to say we must learn to raise our hands and wait until we are called

on.

8 If anyone has to be told to be quiet or sit still or stop misbehaving more than once or twice, they will be sent or taken out of the class and sent to the Sunday School Superintendents office for discipline.. Any quiet seat points that may have been earned up to this time will be lost if this happens.

9. In the fourth grade we gradually learn to put aside some of the things we did as younger children in the third grade and learn to listen to the teacher and pay attention and learn memory verses and be able to answer questions.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS FOR JUNIOR CLASSES – PAGE 2

ORIENTATION – GET ACQUAINTED LESSON FOR PROMOTION SUNDAY.

Why do we come to Sunday School anyway?

Ans) Because Sunday School is the place where boys and girls are to learn more about God who made them.

God loves all the children of the world and he wants them to learn all they can about him.

When we come to Sunday School, we come to a building that has been dedicated to God for his use only.

When in Sunday School or church, we should respect it as God's house of worship and take good care of it.

Why do we have teachers in Sunday School?

Ans) Because God has chosen certain adults who love him and want to serve him, and he has given to them the lessons and messages that he wants them to give to the boys and girls like you so that you can grow up to serve him and love him.

Why do the bus workers get up early Sunday morning and go all over the area to pick up boys and girls and bring them to Sunday School?

Ans) Because God has put into their heart a love for boys and girls like you, and they want for you to know him and love him as they do.

We want you to know that every one of you in this class is of equal value with God who loves all people the same, no mater what your name, or the color of your skin, or where you live.

So, this year we want you to learn to love one another as if they were your very own brothers and sisters, and love your teachers and pastor, and be one big happy family.

As juniors we have to learn to work harder than we have before. You will be given memory verses each week to learn and be able to recite when you come to your class the following week.

We will learn to use our bibles to look up verses and read in class. Each of you will need to bring to Sunday school a complete king James version bible.

We will have fun this year, and sometimes on special occasions we may have parties and treats.

We will give rewards for being on time for class, and being able to recite memory verses each week and for quiet seat.

We look forward to having a good year with you boys and girls of the junior class. We pray that we will be able to teach you a lot about the Lord, and that you will learn a lot about the Lord.

This week I want you to keep saying this sentence over and over again to yourself and to your parnets every day until you can say it without looking at the paper. This is not a verse that you can find in

SUNDAY SCHOLL LESSONS FOR JUNIORS – PAGE 3

ORIENTATION – GET ACQUAINTED LESSON FOR PROMOTION SUNDAY

the bible, but the bible tells us that this is true.

Jesus loves me this I know

For the bible tells me so

Lirttle ones to him belong

we ae weak, but he is strong.

Be able to recite this to one of your teachers when you come back next week

Let us Pray!

Do We Look For Another?

Do We Look For Another?

      John the baptist, preaching in the wilderness and baptizing in the Jordan river, pointed to Jesus and proclaimed: “Behold the lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.” Now John, being in prison, has doubts within himself. John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him plainly: Are you the one or should we look for another?

      Today, we Christians, though we live by faith and believe the word of God, yet, in trying times it is possible that doubts and fears may creep into our lives, especially if we are not as close to the Lord as we ought to be, and faithful in studying God's word and praying. If we are completely honest, we must admit that down in our hearts we have all asked the question: Is it true? Is the bible relevant for us today? Is Christ alive? Will he return as he said he would? Is there life after death? Will Godforgive our sins?

      John being in prison and about to be executed, probably was wondering in his heart: If Jesus was the one, the Lamb of God, the mighty God in human flesh, why would he allow him to be in prison and be executed?
      We ask very similar questions today: Why am I going through such troubling times? Why am I sick and afflicted with a terrible disease? Why am I lonely? Why am I going through financial difficulties? Why am I so afraid?

    Jesus's reply to John's disciples was that he examine the evidence: Consider all that came to Jesus for help.. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers, are cleansed, the deaf hear, even the dead are raised.

When Satan whispers in our ears and tries to get us to question as to whether or not Jesus is real and our faith genuine, then we need to stop and remember the goodness of God in our lives in times past. Remember when the burden of guilt was lifted off our shoulders when we first believed. Remember all of our childhood prayers that were answered. Remember the times that we were afraid and when the Holy Spirit of God was there to calm our fears. Remember when the Lord healed us when we were sick and came to our assistance when we were experiencing financial difficulties. Let us carefully examine the scriptures and hear again the testimony of all the eye witnesses of Christ's resurrection and ascension into heaven. Let us once again examine all the fulfilled prophecies of where and when Christ should be born, and the validity of all his miraculous works.

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up,, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Matthew 11: 2-6.

Take Your Burdens To The Lord.

Bring Your Burdens To The Lord.

      Jesus extended an invitation to all who are weary and heavy laden to come unto him, and he would give them rest. He came into the world to be our burden bearer and our sin bearer.

      “Surely he hath borne our grief's, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.” Isaiah 53: 4. “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of Esaias the prophet, saying, himself took our infirmities and bare our sickness.” Matthew 8: 17.

      What burdens lay heavy on our souls today? Is it the burden of unforgiven sin? Is it the burden of doubts and fears, or the burden of sickness and immanent death? Do we grieve today over the loss of family, friends, or loved ones? Are we perplexed, not knowing where to turn or what road to take to solve our problems? Are we overly concerned about how we will meet the challenges of the future?

Jesus stands ready to make an exchange of burdens. If we are willing to lay all our cares and burdens upon him, he will bear them for us, but we, in exchange, must be willing to put his yoke upon our shoulders and be busy with him. When we are yoked together with him, he is bearing the heaver part of the load and our burdens become lighter. We are told to take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there. “Burdens are lifted at Calvary.”

      Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11: 28-30.