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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday January 24, 2016

GOD’S DISCIPLINE PROVES HIS LOVE

(A call to listen to GOD)

Hebrews 12

In Hebrews chapter 12, the author of GOD gives us a remarkably vivid description and summary of the Christian life, and, shows us the attitude we should have, as we aspire to obtain our goal of becoming more like CHRIST. In the Greek, the word used for “discipline” is “paideia” (pahee-di-ah), and it is “education or training”. It also means “to nurture, instruct, or chasten”.

The Christian life can be likened to a relay race. The people of faith, like the ones mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, who have run before us, have passed on the baton, and now, they anxiously wait to see how we will carry on in the discipline that Christianity demands. As we run, we can look back and see how JESUS ran HIS race, and, at one and the same time, we can also look ahead, and see HIS exaltation at the finish line.

JESUS, is our supreme example, and, HE is the “Author and Finisher” of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). A life that is void of testing from GOD is most likely going to be a life void of prayer, humility, holiness, and appreciation of what GOD has done for us. Tests from GOD are not made to make us fail, but rather, are made to make us better representatives of CHRIST, and Christianity, here on earth.

Trials are what GOD uses to refine us, and prepare us for a life of eternity with HIM, in HIS kingdom. It takes a certain amount of discipline to become, and remain successful in the Christian race. When we take into account how much JESUS endured, we can realize that suffering and hardship are no excuse for us to give up and drop out of contention (Hebrews 12:3-15).

If we fail to understand the love and purpose of GOD’s discipline, we are likely to become bitter, and miss out on GOD’s graceful intent. If we see our trials and difficulties in the perspective provided by GOD’s grace, we will be better able to understand and accept HIS discipline in our lives. Remember, Esau, who saw no value in spiritual things, ended up selling his birthright to GOD’s covenant promise, for a mere a bowl of stew. If we value only material things as he did, we too, are in danger of missing our blessings in the end (Hebrews 12:16-17).

We, as Christians, are not people who meander along the paths of life in a totally oblivious manner. We are not like tourist, who, each night, return to the point where we started that previous morning. The Christian life is about going somewhere, and at the end of each day, we’ll do good to ask ourselves, “Have we gotten any closer to our goal of being more like CHRIST?” That should be the aspiration of every Christian, to, each day, become more and more like CHRIST.

However, the Christian also has another inspiration. It is the inspiration of the “cloud of witnesses”, who have gone before us, and witnessed their confession to CHRIST, and now witness our performance from way on high. They are those people mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, who personified faith during their Christian walk here on earth. They are those people like Moses, Abraham, and Noah, who have already claimed their crowns of victory.

But, unfortunately, we Christians also have “a handicap”, and it is “the handicap and weight of our own sins”. It is very difficult to run a race, when you are carrying excess baggage. If we wish to travel far, it is much better to travel light. The burden of sin can weigh heavily on a person, who is trying to run the Christian race, or walk the Christian walk. It is paramount that we first discard the unnecessary things that hold us back, and what holds man back is sin. If we are to endure the Christian race to the finish, we must first learn to lighten our load of “sinful cargo” (behavior), and move away from our carnal desires (sin nature) (Hebrews 12:1).

Our supreme example of faith and discipline is CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF. HE is also our companion along the way, and, HE is our goal at the end of the race. Remember, GOD’s kingdom will remain when the universe itself is shaken, and this old world itself will ultimately disappear. That is when one will truly appreciate how good it will be to be a citizen in the kingdom of Heaven.

We should also remember that our trials, can and will, both refine us, and, help prepare us to dwell in eternity in the presence of THE ALMIGHTY GOD in Heaven, at the end of our Christian race. The motivation for pursuing holiness here and now, is the realization that, without it, no one can see GOD, or stand in the presence of GOD in the spiritual life that follows our stay here on earth. In other words, Christians must be, and will be, sinless when they see the LORD in Heaven.

A person’s perception of GOD in this present life is the true measure of his or her holiness. In order to help us reach the state of holiness we need to achieve, GOD whips us into condition with his Holy discipline, and testing. When we fail to understand the love and purpose of GOD’s discipline, we are likely to become bitter towards HIM, and thereby, miss HIS unfailing grace. However, when we are able to see our trials and difficulties in the perspective of GOD’s grace, we are better able to accept HIS chastening.

In Hebrews 12:14-29, the author calls for a renewed spiritual vitality among GOD’s people. It is a call to listen to GOD with a renewed interest in how HE wants us to live our lives here on earth. He also urges us to begin by trying to live in peace with one another, being a good example for those who have not yet reached your own stage of spiritual awareness, so that not even one of us will miss out on GOD’s special favor.

We can also help others guard against going astray by being accountable to one another, making sure that the bitter root of immorality does not infiltrate the lives of ourselves, and, of those whom we are close to. Beginning in verse 18, the author of Hebrews gives us a final warning, as he vividly depicts with his writing, a clear picture of the situation on Mount Sinai, where the Old Covenant was given to the people in an awesome way that only GOD could stage.

Here he describes the scene of that event as a place of flaming fire, darkness and gloom, and a whirlwind, as GOD delivered HIS laws to the Israelites. And they could hear an awesome trumpet blast accompanied by a voice with a message so terrible that they begged GOD to stop speaking. Even Moses was admittedly terrified by this awesome display of GOD’s power.

However, in verse 22, the writer reminds the people that, that was then, and this is now. Now we fall under the protection of the New Covenant, which was ushered in by CHRIST JESUS, and the realities pertained to in it are even more impressive because they are Heavenly, and not only is there a Heavenly city, but there is also, both, angels, and, the spirits of those who have been redeemed and made perfect by the LORD.

Ultimately, all created things will be removed by GOD. When Moses gave the law at the foot of Mount Sinai, the mountain itself burned with fire, and the surrounding plains shook uncontrollably. The fear that was felt by those who were present at that event will be nothing compared to what will be felt by those who cannot see spiritual realities through faith, and as a result, fail to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven is all that will remain after the universe itself is shaken apart, and all of creation disappears. We must see to it that we obey GOD, the ONE WHO is speaking to us. If the people of Israel didn’t escape the wrath of GOD when they refused to listen to Moses, GOD’s earthly messenger, then, how much more terrible it will be for those of us, in this day, who refuse to listen to CHRIST JESUS, WHO came directly from Heaven to warn us.

And since GOD, through HIS tender mercies, has given us a choice to be redeemed, and spend eternity with HIM in Heaven, let us be thankful and begin worshipping HIM in spirit, and, in truth, with holy fear and reverence, because our GOD is truly a consuming fire.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday January 3, 2016

GREAT EXAMPLES OF FAITH

(Roll call of the faithful)

(Hebrews 11)

In the New Testament Greek, the word used for faith is “pistis”, and it means “to rely upon with an inward certainty”. Faith is being certain of the things we hope for, and being convinced of things we cannot yet see. It is by faith, that we understand that the world was fashioned by the word of GOD, and that, what is seen, came, from what is not seen. The Christian attitude is that, in terms of eternity, it is better to stake everything on GOD than it is to trust the temporal rewards of this world. It is belief in GOD against the world, the spirit against the senses, and the future against the present.

In Hebrews chapter 11, the author of GOD takes us on a journey back in time with a sort of “roll call”, and or, “revisit” with the “who’s who” of people who personify “faith” in the Scriptures. He begins with Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, and the younger brother of Cain, whose story is depicted in Genesis 4:1-8. This story speaks to how we need to respond to GOD in the “right way”, because, the way we respond to GOD exemplifies the level of faith we have in HIM, and, the amount of reverence we have for HIM.

Here, we see Abel offering up to GOD, a living sacrifice. It was a sacrifice of living blood, one that symbolizes the giving of one’s life to GOD. He responded to GOD in the “right way”. Cain, on the other hand, responded by giving GOD the fruit of the ground, something that had been plucked from life, something that was dead. He responded to GOD in the “wrong way”.

The writer of Hebrews then directs our attention to Enoch, the father of Methuselah, the man who lived longer than any human in the history of the world, (969 years), and how Enoch lived in close fellowship with GOD all of his life, before being “raptured” up by GOD, before his death. He was 365 years old at that time. He had a “right relationship” of “faith” with GOD, and thus, was rewarded for it.

In Hebrews 11:7, we are reminded of the unconquerable faith of Noah, whose story is told by Moses in Genesis chapters 6-9, and how Noah obeyed GOD when HE instructed him to build the Ark on dry land, nowhere near water, a project that took some 100 years to complete, simply because GOD promised him that HE would send a flood to destroy the earth. Noah’s response was one of “total faith” that GOD would do what HE said HE would do. He staked everything on GOD, the future against the presence, and the spirit against the senses.

The author of GOD also recounts the life of the towering figure known as Abraham, the one to whom all Jews trace their origins, and how he was told by GOD to leave his father’s house and go into an unknown land that GOD promised him for an inheritance.

He tells of how Abraham and his beautiful wife Sarah had faith, even in their old age, that GOD would deliver unto them a son who would be, just the beginning, of a whole race of people who would become HIS “chosen” nation (Israel). They relied on GOD with an “inward certainty”, and were convinced of the things GOD promised, that they could not yet see. They were willing to venture into the unknown, because they felt secure with GOD’s promise.

The writer goes on to tell the familiar stories of the faith of Joseph, Jacob, Moses, Rahab and the likes. These were people who never actually got to see the end result of all the things that GOD had promised, however, the blessings of GOD have no ending, and extend well beyond the life expectancy of any man or woman. HIS blessings were extended to their families for generations to come, and through their faith and hope, they could see it all from a distance.

When we come into a “right relationship” with GOD, as these people did, GOD allows us to see, from way on high, our lives, from HIS lofty and majestic point of view. All of these people received GOD’s approval, and were counted righteous, because of their faith. Yet, none of them received all the things that GOD had promised, during their earthly lifetimes, because you can only receive the eternal things, the prize at the end of the race, after the race itself is finished.

Faith is what orients a person to GOD. When stripped down to its most basic form, it is simply the confidence and belief we have that GOD really exists. And those, who possess such a confidence in GOD, also share a conviction in knowing that GOD will reward them because they earnestly seek after HIM with their whole hearts (minds).

The people of faith, who are mentioned in Hebrews 11, when compared to the modern-day believer, had relatively little knowledge of GOD, and, they did not get to hear the wisdom of JESUS’ words the way we have in this day. How much more motivated to have faith in the ONLY WISE GOD we should be! And because we know JESUS, from a Monday morning quarterback’s perspective, we should be able to easily live a life of faith and obedience to GOD, because of HIS faithfulness and goodness to us, throughout the course of time.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday December 13, 2015

CHRIST’S SACRIFICE ONCE FOR ALL

(A call to persevere)

Hebrews 10

The old sacrificial system contained in the Mosaic Law was only a shadow of the things to come. Through it, we could not really grasp the realities of the good things that CHRIST JESUS has done for us. The sacrifices under the old system had to be repeated over and over again, year after year, and still, were not able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If the old system sacrifices could have provided perfect cleansing, they would not have had to be repeated over and over again, because the worshipers would have been purified once and for all time.

Hebrews chapter 10 is the final subsection of the writer’s expository unit regarding the superiority of CHRIST, which he began in chapter seven. Here he argues that the superior sacrifice of CHRIST is what now perfects the New-Covenant worshipper. We are, by JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice, purified once and for all time.

The old system of sacrifice really served as more of an annual reminder of sin, than anything else it represented. GOD wishes for us to worship HIM with the minds, hearts, and bodies, which HE has given us, and not with the blood of dead animals, nor with grain offerings. GOD wants us to worship HIM in “spirit and in truth”, not in “ritual”.

Like CHRIST JESUS, we must all come to do GOD’s will with our whole bodies. JESUS CHRIST, through HIS vicarious sacrifice, has canceled the Old Covenant and put into effect, HIS New Covenant. “Eis to dienekes” is the Greek phrase that the writer of Hebrews uses repeatedly regarding JESUS’ continuing sacrificial effect on human destiny during the course of his argument in chapters 7-10. This phrase means “forever”, or, “continuously and uninterruptedly”. JESUS CHRIST continuously and uninterruptedly guarantees the New Covenant promise.

JESUS came to usher in a New Covenant from GOD. It is a Covenant that is far superior to any before, or since that time. It is now the duty of the Christian to build his or her foundation on the “Most-High Faith” of the MOST HIGH PRIEST. We have to learn to pray in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, and to remember the conditions of that New Covenant, under which the love of GOD has called us. And after we have done all that we can, we are still at the mercy of JESUS CHRIST unto eternal life.

No one goes the FATHER, but by JESUS. HE alone, is THE WAY to GOD. In HIM, we see exactly what GOD is like, and only HE can usher us into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without guilt, and, without shame.

The Old Covenant imagery of the curtain, in the Holy Place, that, once served as a barrier to man has been erased by the sacrificial death of JESUS CHRIST. JESUS now symbolizes in the New Covenant, what the curtain represented in the Old Covenant. The rending of the curtain at the exact time of JESUS’ death, that is written about by the Apostle Matthew in Matthew 27:51, lets us know that now, only JESUS stands between man and GOD.

Now, only through JESUS, can a person hope to come into the presence of the LIVING GOD in Heaven. HIS death gives believers the much-needed access to GOD that had been missing since the fall of Adam and Eve way back during the infancy of creation. We now have a great HIGH PRIEST in Heaven, WHO, can enable us to enter into the presence of GOD, with pure and true hearts, fully and confidently trusting in HIM. Our evil consciences have been sprinkled by the blood of CHRIST to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

With unwavering confidence, we can hold tightly to the “Christian Hope”, and know that GOD can be trusted to keep HIS promise. What we most need to concentrate on now is assembling together, finding ways to encourage each other to love, and seeking to do good deeds for one another whenever possible.

In the New Testament Greek, the word used for “patience” is “hypomeno”, and it involves an overcoming of difficulties, and withstanding the pressures of life. It is in fact, a “patient endurance”, or, perseverance. In verses 19-39, the author of GOD is calling on us to persevere as we walk in the newness of life that we find in CHRIST JESUS. We must stand strong for CHRIST, and we must also, both, encourage, and warn each other that the second coming of JESUS in drawing near, and will occur unexpectedly.

He also tells us that if we continue on living sinful lives, after we have received the full knowledge of GOD’s word, there is no other sacrifice that can be rendered to cover such sins. The defiant sinner has nothing to look forward to, except the sting of GOD’s judgment and the terrible, raging fires of hell that will ultimately consume them. For that is the price one must pay for insulting and grieving the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO brings GOD’s mercy to HIS people.

We must try and never forget the early days of our Christianity, and how we were determined to remain faithful through the persecutions and pressures of satan, who tried mightily, to get us to turn back to the ways of the world. We must stay focused on GOD, eagerly awaiting the good things that are waiting for us in GOD’s promised “Place of Rest”, and we must maintain the faith in CHRIST that assures us our salvation through HIM.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday November 8, 2015

CHRIST IS OUR HIGH PRIEST

(CHRIST is the perfect sacrifice)

Hebrews 8-9

JESUS ministers on the basis of a better covenant. HE is GOD’s superior priest and our ultimate representative in the presence of the FATHER in Heaven. A superior priest could never operate on the basis of an inferior covenant. Here in chapter 8, the writer begins to move toward the conclusion of his discussion and argument regarding the superiority of CHRIST JESUS as our HIGH PRIEST. Aaronic priests ministered on earth in a sanctuary that was a mere copy of the Heavenly Sanctuary. It was only a shadow of the true sanctuary in Heaven that was built by the hand of GOD, and where CHRIST now ministers. The superiority of JESUS’ ministry is also reflected in the superiority of the New Covenant, which HE ushered in to us, during HIS three-year ministry here on earth.

Unlike the earthly high priest who was required to offer gifts and sacrifices for, first, their own sins, and then ours, JESUS has no need to offer sacrifices for HIMSELF because HE, quite frankly has never sinned. And the sacrifice HE offers for our sins, past, present, and future, is HIS OWN life, which was offered up on the cross at Golgotha, where HE spilled HIS blood, some 2000 years ago.

Back in Exodus 24, verses 1-8, the Israelites accepted GOD’s covenant as it had been given to Moses on Mount Sinai. However, man would not then, and quite frankly, will not now, abide by such a covenant, because we let our sins continuously interrupt our relationship with GOD. It took the life of CHRIST to restore our lost relationship of friendship with GOD. If we, as a people, would have abided by the first covenant, there would have been no need for the, more superior covenant that was ushered in by CHRIST JESUS to replace it. The first covenant was offered by GOD to show us how much we need HIM in our lives to survive, and, how far we were from living according to HIS OWN glorious standards. Therefore, as a result, the old Covenant, in essence, could only condemn us. The New Covenant, by contrast, brings forgiveness through CHRIST JESUS, and thereby, can only save us. However, this salvation can only be given to those who voluntarily accept GOD, in all HIS fullness.

In the Greek, the word used for “covenant”, in all normal secular applications, is “suntheke” (soon-tha-kay), and it is “an agreement between two equal parties or entities, on equal terms”, i.e. a marriage, or a business deal or partnership.

However, in the New Testament Scriptures, the Greek word that is always used for “covenant” is “diatheke” (dee-ath-ay-kay), and it is “an agreement that is actually along the terms of a “devised Will”. In other words, only one party draws up the terms, and the other party can either accept or reject the terms, or inheritance, that is offered. They cannot change or alter any of the contents within that Will. The choice of this word, (diatheke), is understandable, because we, as human beings, cannot enter into an equal partnership with GOD, and cannot be on equal terms with GOD for obvious reasons. We are only able to make a voluntary decision to accept, or reject HIS covenant offer, and cannot alter, or change HIS terms in any way.

Even in the secular world, we know that a Will does not go into effect until the person who wrote it has been proven dead. JESUS, WHO is our HIGH PRIEST, first died on the cross for our sins, then, re-entered into Heaven itself, bearing HIS OWN blood to present as a sacrificial atonement for all of our sins, past, present, and future. And with HIS sacrifice, HE purchased eternal salvation for all mankind in general, and all Christians in particular, once, and for all time. In short, JESUS is the mediator of the New Covenant that was activated by HIS OWN death.

In the Greek, there are two words that are used for “new”. One is “neos” (neh-os), which is “new in respects to time”. It can be a regeneration, or “exact copy” of something already existing, such as a new piece of clothing, or a new pair of shoes. The other word used for new is “kainos” (kahee-nos), which means, not only new in relation to time, but also new in quality and expression. It is something that is a new creation altogether, or a new product that has been introduced into the world for the first time. “Kainos” is the word used here by the author to describe the covenant ushered in by JESUS CHRIST. However, this New Covenant ushered in by CHRIST can never be improved upon, or copied.

There is one other essential that we should accentuate regarding the New Covenant. In Hebrews 10:16-18, the author of GOD tells us that the New Covenant is one that calls for “internal”, rather than “external” adaptations. This means that people would no longer want to obey GOD simply because the law compels them to, or they fear punishment, but rather, because the desire to obey HIM will be written on their hearts and minds.

Under the old Covenant, man could only hope to keep a right relationship with GOD by obeying HIS laws, through their own efforts. Here, in the New Covenant Age, everything is dependent, not on, what we can do, but rather, everything rests solely on the grace of GOD, and what JESUS CHRIST has done, by way of HIS vicarious sacrifice. JESUS, both, removes our guilt, and, mediates our New Covenant with GOD.

With the coming of the New Covenant, GOD wishes to place HIS laws for living on our hearts, not just in writing on stone or, even paper, for that matter. HE wants us to understand HIM in our innermost being, so that we can obey HIM more completely. HE wants to be our GOD, and HE wants us to be HIS people. HE wants us to teach of HIM, not just with the words of our mouths, but more importantly, with our behavior as professed Christians.

We, as Christians, must make our old selves obsolete, just as GOD made the Old Covenant Law obsolete when HE sent us HIS only begotten SON to save us from ourselves. In the New Testament Greek, the word used for “old”, or “obsolete” is “palaioumenon” (pal-ah-yo-o-me-non), and it describes “something that is out of date” and “ready to be set aside”. In Hebrews chapter 9, the writer expands on his argument concerning the superiority of the New Covenant that was ushered in by CHRIST JESUS. In the first covenant between GOD and Israel (the Mosaic Covenant), there were many regulations concerning worship, and, there was a sacred place, a tent, in which to do it. Every element of the Mosaic Covenant had special significance because it reflected realities that are found only in Heaven. Inside this sacred tent were two rooms. In the first room there was a lamp stand, a table, and loaves of holy bread on the table, and it was called, the “Holy Place”.

Now there was a curtain that separated this first room from a second room. This second room was called the “Most Holy Place”. Inside this second room, were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the “Ark of the Covenant”. The Ark was covered with gold on all sides, and inside it were three items, a gold jar, which contained the two quarts of manna that were placed there by Aaron at the command of GOD, through Moses (Exodus 16:32-34). There was also Aaron’s blooming staff, which GOD commanded to be put there as a warning to those who try to rebel against HIM (Numbers 17:10-11). And, there were the tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written (Exodus 40:20).

Above the ark were angels whose wings were stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. Any of the priests were able to go in and out of the first room on a regular basis, as they performed their religious duties to man and GOD. However, only the high priest was allowed to enter into the second room, the Most Holy Place, and then, he could enter it only once a year, always with blood that would be offered up to GOD to cover, first, his own sins, and then, the sins of the people.

By these regulations, the HOLY SPIRIT was communicating that the Most Holy Place was not open to everyone, as long as the first room, the Holy Place, and all that it represents, was still in use. This was also an illustration of how the gifts and sacrifices that the priests were offering were not able to cleanse the consciences of the people that brought them.

This old system only dealt with food, drink, ritual washing, and other external regulations that were, in effect, only until their limitations could be corrected by the introduction of the New Covenant, that was ushered in by JESUS CHRIST. All of the old system’s Levitical arrangements were designed to convey the idea that the true way to GOD did not lie in them, but rather, would lie in CHRIST. What this tells us in this day and age, is that, the old covenant sacrificial system never met our human needs on their most profound level, and could not, by any means, clear the spiritual consciences of the people who seek to worship GOD.

JESUS CHRIST has now entered into the perfect sanctuary that was not made by human hands, but rather, by the hand of GOD. There HE has become high priest over all that is good. Once and for all time HE has carried HIS OWN blood into the Most Holy Place in Heaven, and with it, HE has secured our salvation forever. Under the old law, the blood of goats, bulls, or rams could be used to cleanse the defilement of human sins. How much more effective then, must the blood of CHRIST be in purifying the human heart from deeds that had long led man to death, and is now allowing man to re-establish a relationship of friendship with GOD.

Here in chapter 9, the writer prompts his readers to recall that all elements of the Mosaic Covenant had special meaning in that, it reflected the realities in Heaven. But our HIGH PRIEST, JESUS, entered into Heaven itself, bearing HIS OWN blood, and by HIS OWN sacrifice, obtained for us, the greatest gift of all time, salvation. JESUS is the mediator of the New Covenant, a covenant that was activated by HIS OWN death on the cross.

In Old Testament times, animal blood sacrifices were the standard requirement by GOD for the sins of man. In essence, it indicates that sin merits death, but GOD is willing to accept a substitute in place of the life of the sinner. Hebrews chapters 8-10 teaches us that the system of Old Testament sacrifices was actually an “object lesson” used by GOD to aid us in the understanding of the coming sacrifice of HIS only begotten SON, JESUS, the CHRIST.

The Old Testament sacrifices had an external effectiveness, but JESUS’ sacrifice at Golgotha has an internal effect that cleanses the conscience that bounds us to the guilt of our past. We are no longer overcome with a past that renders us inadequate to function in the present, and keeps us from moving forward to a brighter future with GOD.

When a person dies and leaves a will, no one can collect on the benefits of that will until there is proof that the person who wrote that will is actually dead. Likewise, under the old covenant, GOD required the blood of certain animals as proof of death, and the blood confirmed man’s obedience to the covenant. Afterwards, man was able to collect on the benefits of GOD’s will, which was found in HIS forgiveness, instead of the death of the sinner.

The blood of animals was sufficient to purify things here on earth, and by the sprinkling of animal blood, man was allowed to continue to live here on earth. However, the real things, which are only found in Heaven, had to be purified with a far better sacrifice than the blood of unblemished animals. It took the blood of an unblemished man to meet the requirement of GOD to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and that perfect sacrifice could only come in the person of JESUS CHRIST.

But first, JESUS had to become a man, born into the world like all other men, so that HE could suffer through everything man has to suffer through, overcome it, and then, present HIMSELF faultless before HIS FATHER GOD as the perfect sacrifice for the sin atonement of all persons, past, present, and future, once and for all time.

And just as it is appointed by GOD that each person dies only once, and after which comes judgment, so too, CHRIST died only once as a sacrifice that took away the sins of the people who choose to believe in HIM. JESUS will come again, but not to deal with our sins again. This time HE will bring with HIM, the salvation that is promised to all those who believe, and eagerly await HIS return.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

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