The Lord's Table Bible Study
Every Wednesday 6-7 pm in the Chapel.
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The weekly Bible Study will be posted each week, as it becomes available.
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You are welcome to attend the study group. We also encourage you to join this blog as a follower and to add comments.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Monday, July 24, 2017
Led by the Spirit of God
26 July 2017
Opening
Prayer/Worship
Theme: God Our
Maker
Topic: Led by the
Spirit of God
Reading: Romans
8:12-25
So then, brothers and
sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the
flesh— 13for if you live
according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the
deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are
children of God. 15For
you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have
received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ 16it is that very Spirit
bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then
heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him. 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are
not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with
eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected
to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it,
in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to
decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation
has been groaning in labour pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but
we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we
wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do
not see, we wait for it with patience.
Introduction
The fact that God is our Maker
connotes a lot of powerful images, including that He knows us more than we know
ourselves, has a plan and purpose for our lives, knows where we are at any
given moment, and is with us to guide us through life. Following the
death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, God sent His Holy Spirit to
comfort, teach and lead us. Just as the world we live in, as chaotic as
it may appear, is governed by systems, from laws and policies to software and
theories, God designed us to be led by His Spirit. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, there may be times in our lives that we feel we are drifting with
neither purpose nor direction; it feels as if God is not with us. At such
times, we should remember that God is the same yesterday, today and forever;
and that His promised Holy Spirit is already here with us. The question
is: will you allow Him to lead you?
Questions/Discussion
1. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God?
Genesis 28:10-19A
Jacob left Beer-sheba
and went towards Haran. 11He came to a certain place and stayed there for the
night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put
it under his head and lay down in that place. 12And he dreamed that
there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven;
and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13And the Lord stood beside him and
said, ‘I am the Lord, the God
of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will
give to you and to your offspring; 14and your offspring shall
be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to
the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth
shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15Know that I am with you
and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I
will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ 16Then Jacob woke from his
sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is
in this place—and I did not know it!’ 17And he was afraid, and
said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and
this is the gate of heaven.’ 18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone
that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the
top of it. 19He called that place Bethel.
Psalm 23
The
Lord is my shepherd *
therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture *
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul *
and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil *
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me *
thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture *
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul *
and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil *
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me *
thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
2. What are the lessons for us in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 regarding being led by the Spirit of God?
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
He put before them
another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed
good seed in his field; 25but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and
sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26So when the plants came
up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27And the slaves of the
householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your
field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” 28He answered, “An enemy
has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather
them?” 29But he replied, “No; for
in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30Let both of them grow
together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers,
Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the
wheat into my barn.”’ 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his
disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of
the field.’ 37He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of
Man; 38the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of
the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sowed them is
the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40Just as the weeds are collected
and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41The Son of Man will send his
angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all
evildoers, 42and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
3. Discuss ways we can be cooperative to being led by the Spirit of God.
Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23
Refrain: Lord,
your hand will hold me fast.
Lord, you have searched me out and
known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts
from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting places and are acquainted with
all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it
altogether. R You press upon me
behind and before and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. R Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your
presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed,
you are there also. R If I take the
wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there
your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast. R If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light
around me turn to night," Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as
bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. R Search me out, O God, and know my
heart; try me and know my restless thoughts. Look well whether there be any
wickedness in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting. R
1 Peter 5:1-11
Now as an elder myself
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the
glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2to tend the flock of God
that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but
willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3Do not lord it over
those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4And when the chief
shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5In the same way, you who
are younger must accept the authority of the elders.And all of you must clothe
yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes
the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ 6 Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you. 8Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your
adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in your
faith, for you know that your brothers and sistersthroughout the world are
undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10And after you have suffered for a
little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the power for ever and
ever. Amen.
Intercession/Worship
Conclusion
God designed us to be led by His
Spirit; may we be willing and open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit all the
days of our lives.
Closing Prayer (Collect for Sixth Sunday after Pentecost)
Almighty God, your Son has opened for
us a new and living way into your presence. Give us pure hearts and
constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Holy Life in Christ
19 July 2017
Opening
Prayer/Worship
Theme: God Our Maker
Topic: Holy Life in Christ
Reading: Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin
and of death. 3For God has done what the law,
weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of
sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the just requirement of
the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but
according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to
the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live
according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6To set the mind on the flesh is
death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For this reason the mind that is
set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it
cannot,8and those who are in the flesh
cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the
flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10But if Christ is in you, though
the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of
righteousness. 11If the Spirit of him who raised
Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will
give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in
you.
Introduction
It is God’s intention and earnest desire that
we live holy lives. This does not mean that we will neither encounter
trials and temptations nor go off track; but that in the face of human
weakness, when we put our trust in God, we will ultimately triumph. One
may argue that despite doing his/her best, things remained the same or even got
worse – the addiction was unabated, the sin refused to give way to a new life
in Christ – and so on. However, the reality is that God knows our
struggles, and our trust in God will help us overcome adversity, to realize
that our sins are forgiven, and that we can live in the righteousness of
Christ. These will not normally occur instantly, but as we keep doing our
best, keep asking God for help in our prayers, Christ who is our righteousness is
able to redeem and keep us in God’s holiness.
Questions/Discussion
1. Discuss the struggles Christians face with sin.
Genesis 25:19-34
These are the descendants of
Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, 20and Isaac was forty years old
when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister
of Laban the Aramean. 21Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was
barren; and the Lord granted
his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22The children struggled together
within her; and she said, ‘If it is to be this way, why do I live?’ So she
went to inquire of the Lord.23And the Lord said to her,
‘Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples born of you shall be divided;
one shall be stronger than the other,
the elder shall serve the younger.’
24When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. 25The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. 26Afterwards his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. 30Esau said to Jacob, ‘Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!’ (Therefore he was called Edom.) 31Jacob said, ‘First sell me your birthright.’ 32Esau said, ‘I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ 33Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
‘Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples born of you shall be divided;
one shall be stronger than the other,
the elder shall serve the younger.’
24When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. 25The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. 26Afterwards his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. 30Esau said to Jacob, ‘Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!’ (Therefore he was called Edom.) 31Jacob said, ‘First sell me your birthright.’ 32Esau said, ‘I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ 33Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
I do not want you to be unaware,
brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all
passed through the sea,2and all were baptized into Moses
in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual
food, 4and all drank the same spiritual
drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock
was Christ.5Nevertheless, God was not
pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. 6 Now these things occurred
as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. 7Do not become idolaters as some
of them did; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they
rose up to play.’ 8We must not indulge in sexual
immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single
day. 9We must not put Christ to
the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. 10And do not complain as some of
them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.11These things happened to them to
serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the
ends of the ages have come.12So if you think you are
standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13No testing has overtaken you
that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be
tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way
out so that you may be able to endure it.
2. What are the lessons for us in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 regarding living a life of holiness?
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
That same day Jesus went out of
the house and sat beside the lake.2Such great crowds gathered
around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood
on the beach. 3And he told them many things in
parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow.4And as he sowed, some seeds fell
on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on rocky
ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since
they had no depth of soil.6But when the sun rose, they were
scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns,
and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil
and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!’ 18 ‘Hear then the parable of
the sower. 19When anyone hears the word of
the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away
what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20As for what was sown on rocky
ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with
joy; 21yet such a person has no root,
but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account
of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22As for what was sown among
thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the
lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23But as for what was sown on good
soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears
fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another
thirty.’
3. What are the challenges to living a Christ-like life, and how do we overcome them?
Psalm 119:105-112
Refrain:
Your word is a light upon my path.
Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light
upon my path. I have sworn and am determined to keep your righteous judgements.
R I am deeply troubled; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your
word. Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, and teach me your
judgements. R My life is always in my hand, yet I do not forget your
law. The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your
commandments. R Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; truly, they
are the joy of my heart. I have applied my heart to fulfil your statutes for
ever and to the end. R
Galatians 5:13-26
For you were called to freedom,
brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for
self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14For the whole law is summed up
in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 15If, however, you bite and devour
one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 Live by the Spirit, I say,
and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.17For
what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is
opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from
doing what you want. 18But if you are led by the
Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are
obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities,
strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21envy, drunkenness,
carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before:
those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 By contrast, the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. 24And
those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us
also be guided by the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited,
competing against one another, envying one another.
Hebrews 12:1-11
Therefore, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight
and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the
race that is set before us,2looking to Jesus the pioneer and
perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the
right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured
such hostility against himself from sinners,so that you may not grow weary or
lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin you
have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten the
exhortation that addresses you as children—
‘My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by him;
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts.’
7Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
‘My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by him;
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts.’
7Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Intercession/Worship
Conclusion
God called us to a life of holiness; to live for Him, in His righteousness and peace, found only in Christ Jesus.
Closing Prayer (Collect for Sixth Sunday after Pentecost)
Almighty God, you have made us for
yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. May we
find peace in your service, and in the world to come, see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
The War Within
12 July 2017
Opening
Prayer/Worship
Theme:
God Our Maker
Topic: The War Within
Reading:
Romans 7:15-25A
I
do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the
very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I
do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17But
in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For
I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will
what is right, but I cannot do it. 19For
I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20Now
if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells
within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is
good, evil lies close at hand. 22For
I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23but
I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me
captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched
man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks
be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Introduction
There is a common
belief that battles are fought and won in the mind; and one can argue that this
holds true at the individual level. Once in a while, we find ourselves at
crossroads of divergent decisions or options; from mundane things such as what
to eat or when to sleep, to life changing decisions such as to relocate to a
different town, city or country. In addition to these examples, Christians also
face the decision to either sin (disobey
God in one way of another) or to follow
the example of Christ.
Everyone at one point or another faces such trials and temptations, and
it is neither an easy nor pleasant experience. However,
through the grace of God (help from the Holy Spirit),
we can win the ‘war within’. And even
when we fail, we remember that we have
a Mediator, Jesus Christ, who has experienced the war within and was
victorious; and is constantly interceding for us before our Heavenly Father.
Questions/Discussion
1.
How will you describe the ‘war within’?
Genesis 24:34-51
So
he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. 35The Lord has greatly blessed my master,
and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold,
male and female slaves, camels and donkeys.36And
Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has
given him all that he has. 37My
master made me swear, saying, “You shall not take a wife for my son from the
daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; 38but
you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my
son.” 39I said to my master, “Perhaps the woman will not follow
me.” 40But he said to me, “The Lord,
before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and make your way successful.
You shall get a wife for my son from my kindred, from my father’s house. 41Then
you will be free from my oath, when you come to my kindred; even if they will
not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.” 42 ‘I
came today to the spring, and said, “O Lord,
the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am
going! 43I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman
who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, ‘Please give me a little water from
your jar to drink,’ 44and who will say to
me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also’—let her be the woman whom
the Lord has appointed
for my master’s son.” 45 ‘Before I had
finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water-jar
on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her,
“Please let me drink.” 46She
quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, “Drink, and I will also
water your camels.” So I drank, and she also watered the camels. 47Then
I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” She said, “The daughter of Bethuel,
Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.” So I put the ring on her nose, and the
bracelets on her arms. 48Then
I bowed my head and worshipped the Lord,
and blessed the Lord, the God
of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of
my master’s kinsman for his son. 49Now
then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not,
tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.’ 50 Then
Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you anything
bad or good. 51Look, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the
wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has
spoken.’
Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and
he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ 37He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began
to be grieved and agitated. 38Then he said to
them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with
me.’ 39And going a little
farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is
possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ 40Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he
said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of
trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ 42Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My
Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’43Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were
heavy.44So leaving them
again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you
still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of
Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’
2.
What are the lessons for us in Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 regarding winning the
‘war within’?
Matthew
11:16-19, 25-30
‘But
to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the
market-places and calling to one another, 17 “We
played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did
not mourn.” 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has
a demon”; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a
glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is
vindicated by her deeds.’ 25 At
that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have
revealed them to infants; 26yes,
Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All
things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son
except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to
whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 ‘Come
to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give
you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For
my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
3.
Discuss some of the things that may help us stay strong in the Lord, and do His
will at all times.
Ephesians 4:17-32
Now
this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the
Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. 18They
are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of
their ignorance and hardness of heart. 19They
have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness,
greedy to practise every kind of impurity. 20That
is not the way you learned Christ! 21For
surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in
Jesus. 22You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old
self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23and
to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,24and
to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of
God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 So
then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours,
for we are members of one another. 26Be
angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and
do not make room for the devil. 28Thieves
must give up stealing; rather let them labour and work honestly with their own
hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29Let
no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as
there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30And
do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal
for the day of redemption. 31Put
away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander,
together with all malice, 32and
be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ
has forgiven you.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11Put
on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of
this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
places. 13Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be
able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand
firm. 14Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist,
and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15As
shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel
of peace. 16With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you
will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and
supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for
all the saints.
Intercession/Worship
Conclusion
As we encounter
the ‘war within’ from time to time, may we always rely on the grace of God and
help of the Holy Spirit, to live victorious in Christ.
Closing
Prayer
Almighty God,
your Son Jesus Christ has taught us that what we do for the least of your
children we do also for him. Give us the will to serve others as he was the
servant of all, who gave up his life and died for us, but lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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