Bethlehem Church

What are you wearing

Tuesday of Holy Week

”What are you wearing?”

Our good works cannot get us into heaven.

Key Verse: Revelation 19:9 (NASB)

And he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’”

Bible Passage: Matthew 22:1-14 (NASB)

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king, who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. And again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.” ’ But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged and sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ And those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there was a man not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And he was speechless. “Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”   

Lesson Thought

It is now Tuesday of Holy Week. Jesus is teaching and telling parables to His disciples on the slope of the Mount of Olives, just east of the city of Jerusalem.  One of His parables is about a wedding banquet that a king gave for his son.  When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to personally invite his guests.  The king sent out fine invitations, but amazingly the guests were not willing to come to the king’s banquet!  So the king commanded his servants to go out to the main highways, highways similar to Route 10, Route 46, and Route 80, and invite whoever would come.  The banquet hall quickly filled up with guests. As the king walked among his guests, he noticed one of his guests was not wearing wedding clothes. The custom of the time was for the wedding host to provide the proper wedding clothes for his guests.  The king had done this, sending wedding clothes with his gracious invitations. However, this particular guest didn’t bother to wear them and just came in his own clothes. So the king commanded his servants to throw the guest into prison. What is Jesus teaching in this parable? The king, who is God the Father, is throwing a wedding banquet for His Son, Jesus, in heaven.  In order to attend this wedding banquet, the guests must wear the wedding clothing provided for them by God the Father. This clothing is the righteousness of Christ, not the clothing of self-righteousness. 

Application:  what does this lesson say to us today?

1) Why would God the Father provide “clothes of righteousness” for us?  What do you think these are?  What do they look like?  Would God really punish someone who refused to wear the clothes that He has provided?

2) How do we get the clothes that God has provided for us? Can anyone wear them? Does one size fit everyone?

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action

1) Have family members brainstorm about who the people are who make up a wedding party, such as the bride, groom, maid-of-honor, best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, ring bearer, etc.  Imagine if the bride came to the wedding in a bathing suit, or if the bridegroom came to the wedding in a pair of jeans with big holes in the knees, or if the maid-of-honor came in her pajamas.  Talk about why these clothes would be inappropriate to wear in a wedding

2) Talk about the “clothes of righteousness” that God has provided for His children.  What do you think they look like?  Discuss what “self-righteous” clothes would look like?  Thank God for His “clothes of righteousness.”

Suggestions for further study

Revelation 19; 20:10-15

Philippians 3:9

Ephesians 4:24

Colossians 3:10-15

Jim Bates

Open Sesame

Monday of Holy Week

”Open Sesame!!”

The church should be a place of prayer and worship.

Key Verse: Luke 12:34 (NASB)

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:10-17 (NASB)

And when He had entered Jerusalem , all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the multitudes were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” And Jesus entered the temple and cast out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. … [Then] he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

Lesson Thought

In the Arabian Nights a poor wood cutter named Ali Baba witnessed forty thieves open a cave full of their stolen treasures by simply saying “Open Sesame!” When the thieves left the cave, Ali Baba said the magic words that open the door of the cave.  He saw, first hand, their stolen treasure.  In our Bible passage today, Jesus said some people had turned the temple of God into a robber’s den, a robber’s den like the one Ali Baba found.  Jesus rebukes these people who are using God’s house as a store to sell things.  Just imagine if you came to church on Sunday morning and found people selling lawn mowers, new clothes, jewelry, shoes, and Little Tykes toys!  The church should be a place of prayer and worship, not a robber’s den!

Application: what does this lesson say to us today?

1) Do you get the impression that Jesus is angry with these merchants? Does a holy and righteous God get angry? When do you think He gets angry?  Is it ever okay for a Christian to get angry? When would it be okay for a Christian to get angry?

2) Do you pray when you enter God’s house for worship? Do you pray that God will speak to you? That He will speak to others?  That God will bless the musicians and the preacher?

Family Activities:  putting the lesson into action

Have each family member think about what their favorite thing is about going to God’s house.  Share that thing with each other.

Suggestions for further study

Matthew 21:10-17

John 2:13-16

Numbers 22:22; 25:3

Deuteronomy 9:8

1 Kings 11:9

2 Kings 17:18

Galatians 2:11-14

Jim Bates

He is Coming again

Palm Sunday

“He is coming again!”

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Key Verse: Psalm 147:1 (NASB)

Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God.

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:1-16 (NASB)

And when they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethpage, to the Mount Of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them, and bring them to Me. And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them’, and immediately he will send them.” Now this took place that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted upon a donkey, even upon a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” And the disciples went and did just as Jesus has directed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid on them their garments, on which He sat. And most of the multitude spread their garments in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees, and spreading them in the road. And the multitude going before Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” And when He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the multitudes were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” … But when the chief priests and the scribes had seen the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant, and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babes Thou hast prepared praise for Thyself’?”

Lesson Thought

A number of years ago we lived in upstate New York. When we found out that our children and grandchildren were driving up from New Jersey to see us for the weekend, we would run to the window every time we heard a car door shut, thinking that they had arrived, until finally one of us shouted, “They’re here!”  For many, many years God’s people, the Jews, had been waiting longingly for their Messiah to come.  Prophets like Isaiah and Zechariah had predicted that He would come. The wait had been long and hard. Perhaps it was a little like waiting for Christmas morning to arrive when it’s only the month of June!!  But generations came and went, and still no Messiah came to be the Savior of God’s people.  But then Jesus, God’s eternal Son, came to redeem His people from their sins. This Palm Sunday was an exciting day!  The people sang. The children shouted and danced for joy. Everyone was so excited - everyone that is except the chief priests and scribes, the Jewish religious leaders.  You see, they did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God sent by the Father to be the Savior of all mankind.  Jesus cannot be our Savior unless we believe that He came into the world to pay the penalty for our sins, so that we could go to Heaven one day.  Before Jesus returned to Heaven, he promised that He would come back again and take us to Heaven for all eternity.  We should be waiting as eagerly for His return to earth as the Jews waited for his first coming.   We should be prepared to shout as loudly when He returns to earth as the people in Jerusalem shouted on that first Palm Sunday.

Application: what does this lesson say to us today?

1) Are you eagerly waiting for Jesus to come again?

2) How can we demonstrate in our daily lives that we are ready for Jesus’ return?

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action

1) Re-enact the first Palm Sunday.  Have two family members pretend that they are Jesus disciples, and walk to Bethpage and bring back a donkey.  A third family member should pretend to be Jesus and get on the donkey. Then the “disciples” wave pretend palm branches and shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David!!” Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Then someone asks, “Who is this?” Everyone answers, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth.”

2) Each family member could share a time when they were eagerly waiting for some event.  How did they feel before it happened?  How did they feel after it occurred?  Relate these stories to how we should be eagerly waiting for Jesus’ return to earth.

Suggestions for further study

Matthew 24:36-46

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Revelation 22:17-20

Jim Bates

The Final Hours

April 2, 2006

“The Final Hours”

The Son of Man is to be Glorified

Key Verse: John 12:32 (The Message)

And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me

Bible Passage:  John 12:20-21, 23-26, 31-33 (NIV)

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Lesson Thought

Jesus had a hard thing to teach his followers on this day.  He spoke with the disciples about being glorified.  The disciples must have thought that sounded wonderful!  But then He talked about a grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying.  Jesus was pointing the way to His death and burial in the tomb, which would take place very soon.  Jesus talked about being “lifted up from the earth.”  What could this mean?  He was talking about His own death on the cross which would occur only a few weeks after this event.  How often do we think about how terribly Jesus suffered for us?   We should give thanks daily for Jesus willing sacrifice!  And – every day - we should consider what we owe Him in return for His great love. 

Application: what does this lesson say to us today?

1) Thank Jesus daily for his willingness to suffer and die for my sins that I might live forever with Him.  Thank Him for His great love for me.   

2) Ask God to forgive you every time you make someone or something more important than Jesus. 

3) How can you glorify Jesus Christ in your times of personal and family worship?  How can we glorify Jesus Christ in our times of corporate worship on Sunday morning?

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action

1) Discuss the word “glory.”  What does the word “glory” mean?   Describe the most beautiful sky you have ever seen - maybe when the sun sets in a “blaze of glory.”  Or if you have ever been to the Grand Canyon, describe the awe you experienced as you looked out over the canyon.  Or describe your first sight of the ocean.  In short, what is the grandest sight you imagine you will ever see?  How do you think this sight compares to Jesus’ glory?

2) Discuss what it means to adore, praise, and worship something or someone.  Discuss some specific ways that you, as a family, can show your adoration, praise, and worship to Jesus.  Put one of these ways into practice this week.

Suggestions for further study

John 12:20-33

Revelation 5:1-14

Dick Tiel

God's Grace

“God’s Grace”

God Sent His Son Not to Condemn, But to Save

Key Verse: Luke 7:50 (NKJV)

Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." 

Bible Passage: Luke 7:36-39, 48-50 (NIV)

Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Lesson Thought

Jesus had been on a long journey, and arrived late at Simon’s house.  Jesus’ feet were dirty and sore from the long walk.  However Simon was so happy to see Jesus and to talk with him that he forgot an important Jewish custom.  This custom was for the host, or one of his servants, to wash the dirty feet of his guests.  What did the woman in the crowd do about Jesus’ dirty feet? She washed them with her tears and put expensive perfume on them!  Simon the Pharisee should have been happy that someone was taking such good care of his guest – but, instead he got upset!! Why? Because she was a sinner!!  Jesus then told Simon a parable about a rich man who lent money to two men - to one man a lot of money and to the other man just a little money.  Neither was able to repay him, so the rich man forgave both their debts.  Who do you think loved the rich man the most?  Even Simon got the right answer to Jesus’ question – the one who owed a lot of money.  Jesus was teaching the whole crowd that the woman showed great love and thanksgiving, because her many sins were forgiven.  Imagine how happy she was that day!!

Application: what does this lesson say to us today?

1) Simon the Pharisee condemned the woman because she was a sinner.  That’s because he did not really understand God’s love and mercy.  Sometimes we put down somebody because of what they have done, too.  God wants us to show them His love and mercy.  Is there someone we look down on?  How can we show them God’s love and mercy?

2) Am I as delighted as the woman was to have my sins forgiven?  Jesus forgave the woman, and sent her away with a peaceful heart.  Do you suppose she told her friends about the love of Jesus?  Tell someone about Jesus love for you and for them this week. 

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action For families with younger children, introduce the scripture reading with a bit of background to help them understand who Simon was.  Read the following to the family before starting the lesson.

“Today, we have families and Sunday school teachers to help us understand God’s Word.  In New Testament days, the Jewish people went to the temple at Jerusalem to pray and worship God.  When Jesus and His disciples were walking on the earth, the Jews studied the Old Testament.  The New Testament hadn’t been written yet. A group of men called Pharisees helped the Jewish people by teaching them from the Old Testament.  The Pharisees tried to obey God’s Word, and thought that they were good people.  Sometimes they looked down on other people who were not as “good” as they were.  One of the Pharisees was named Simon.”

Then read the lesson.

Suggestions for further study

John 10:1-30

Dick Tiel

The Samaritan Women

“The Samaritan Woman”

We all have Good News to Share.

Key Verse: John 4:42 (The Message)

They said to the woman, "We're no longer taking this on your say-so. We've heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He's the Savior of the world!" 

Bible Passage John 4:5-15, 27-29, 42 (NIV)

So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar. … Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)  Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ..." Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst …." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." … Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"  Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ? …They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

Lesson Thought

It’s great to be able to share good news with someone.  The Samaritan Woman went back into the town to tell her Good News – she had found the Messiah, the Savior of the world.  The message she had was so important that she even forgot her water jug – and the only reason she had gone to the well was to get water! She told her friends, her family, her neighbors, even the town leaders.  And they all came to meet Jesus.  Many of them believed in Jesus as their own personal Savior.

Application: what does this lesson say to us today?

1) How can I show Jesus to the people around me?

2) What good news do I have to share with others?  The good news of who Jesus is? The good news of what He has done for me?  The last time He answered my prayer, or helped me overcome a problem or a fear?

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action

1) For families with younger children, do this activity at the beginning of the devotions.  Find a very large book, like a dictionary, a textbook, or an  unabridged Bible concordance, Have each family member balance the book on their head and walk across the room.  If they make it that far, have them turn around and come back. Say: “Was this easy to do?  In today’s Bible reading, Jesus is traveling through Samaria and meets a woman who has come to the well to get water.”

2)  Look on the internet for pictures of women in Africa or the Middle East carrying heavy loads - perhaps jugs of water - on their heads.  These women walk for miles without losing a drop.  They can even balance it without using their hands!

Suggestions for further study

John 4:5-42

Dick Tiel

Take Up Your Cross

“Take Up Your Cross”

God wants us involved!

Key Verse: Mark 8:34b (NIV)

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Bible Passage: Mark 8:31-36 (NIV)

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Lesson Thought

God wants to make us more like Jesus each day.  This is so important that

Bethlehem

Church

has adopted this Vision Statement which reflects our desire to be “just like Jesus.”

If we are believers in Jesus Christ, God owns us.  "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children," Romans 8:16 (NIV)).  So, are we just a pile of wood or bricks sitting around waiting for the Master Builder to form us into the shape He wants?  NO!!   God wants us to be actively involved in the process!  Gordon Fee, Professor Emeritus at Regent College, put it this way, "Life in the Spirit is not passive submission to the Spirit to do a supernatural work in one's life; rather, it requires conscious effort, so that the indwelling Spirit may accomplish His ends in one's life."

Jerry Bridges, a popular Christian author, wrote: "God's work does not make our effort unnecessary, but rather makes it effective." Jesus says we must play a role – take part- every day in the process of becoming like Him.

Application – What does this lesson say to us today?

1)  Have I been “like Jesus” this week?  If so, what did I do or not do that was like Him?  If not, what did I do or not do that was not like Him?

2) What things will I do differently this week so that I will look more like Jesus? What sins will I turn away from?  How can I actively follow and served Jesus by loving and serving others?

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action

1)  For families with younger children, at the beginning of the devotional time, build a tower.  A set of children’s blocks, some dominoes, or even scrap blocks of wood will work.  Build the tower on a firm foundation, so it will not easily fall down, and build it as high as you can.  When the tower is finished, ask “Did the tower just “happen,” or did we have to do something together to make it?”

Suggestions for further study

Luke 9:10-25

Romans 8:16

Dick Tiel

Repentance

“Repentance”

The Importance of Keeping our Hearts Clean.

Key Verse: Mark 1:15 (NIV)

"The time has come," he said. "The

kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Bible Passage – Mark 1:9-15 (NIV)

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."  At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.  After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Lesson Thought

Jesus was instructing His disciples about God’s Good News, the gospel message of God’s love and grace.  We learn more about this Good News from a familiar passage in John’s Gospel account:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.  John 3:16-18 (NIV)

Jesus commanded His listeners to repent, to turn from their sins, and believe.  What does it mean to turn from our sins?  When we turn away from something, we change our old direction and head in a new direction.  What new direction did Jesus tell the crowd, and us, about?  Jesus taught that we must turn from our sins, the old direction, and put our faith in Christ’s atoning death on the cross, the new direction.  Then we can claim the promise of John 3:16 – we will have eternal life.  If we have believed in Christ as our Savior, do we still need to “clean up” our lives?  Every day?  Yes!  We should frequently examine our hearts and ask God’s forgiveness for any acts or attitudes that are not Godly.  Believers in Christ have an important promise, found in I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NIV) The next time I think bad thoughts or get angry or am unkind or do something selfish, God wants me to stop right then and clean up my heart. 

Application: What does this lesson say to us today?

1) Have I trusted in Christ as my Savior?  If so, do I regularly claim the promise of forgiveness in I John 1:9?

2) Will I confess the wrong things that I do and accept the forgiveness that God has promised to those who sincerely ask?  If I offend someone, will I go right away and ask for their forgiveness? 

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action

1) Before doing this devotion, spend five minutes having everyone “clean up” one room of the house or apartment.  Pick a room that everybody uses, like the living room, dining room, or kitchen.  Everybody, young or old, should contribute their energy – put last week’s video tape or DVD or toys away; sort newspapers, junk mail, or magazines to file or throw away, etc.  Say: “It’s our mess, let’s clean it up. Now, isn’t that better?   OK, now it’s time to sit down together and look at God’s word.”

2) After the devotional time, relate cleaning up before devotional time to the lesson.  How is “cleaning up” the living room, kitchen, or our bedroom like “cleaning up” our hearts?  Explain how you think it is similar and different. 

Suggestions for further study

Matthew 4:1-11

Dick Tiel

Spiritual inventory

“Spiritual Inventory”

The Connection between your “heart” and your “treasure”

Key Verse: Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:1–2, 5, 16 (NIV)

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Lesson Thought

We have needs, but do we think about our own needs too much?  Do we think enough about others?  Do we help others in practical ways?  When we pray, is it mostly to ask God for stuff?  Do we pray in a way calculated to make somebody think we are more important or spiritual than we really are?  God wants to hear prayers telling Him how much we love Him, thanking Him for His goodness, and confessing our sins to Him.  Do we understand what fasting is? The purpose of fasting is to give up something for a while to help us focus on God.  Do we understand why it is a good thing?

Application: what does this lesson say to us today?

1) How do I pray?  What do I pray for? The word “ACTS” can be a good guide for your prayers: 

Adoration – tell God how much you love Him

Confession – admit to God that you have committed sins

Thanksgiving – give God the credit for all things

Supplication – ask Him to change hearts and meet needs

2) Choose to fast (give up something) for a period of time so that you can better focus on God.  Here are some suggestions:  give up “fast food” and give the money you would have spent to a missionary or the Bethlehem Church food pantry; or give up watching television or going out one night a week and spend this time with family or friends, just talking, having fun, and encouraging each other.

Family Activities: putting the lesson into action

1) For families with younger children, at the beginning of devotional time, ask “When do you think about what others need?” “When do you think about helping others?  Then ask “What are some things you’ve prayed about?  When did you last tell God that you love Him?  That you’re sorry you have sinned?  Finally, ask “Have you ever given something up for God?  When was this, and what did you give up?”

2) Consider doing some acts of goodness this week.  Here are some suggestions: help a neighbor who is struggling; visit and pray with a shut-in from our congregation or in a nursing home (Pastor Jim will have some ideas on whom to visit); send an encouragement card to someone; volunteer at

Market Street

Mission

- (973)538-0431, http://www.marketstreet.org ;  volunteer at

First

Choice

Pregnancy

Center

- (973)538-1426, http://www.1stchoice.org

Suggestions for further study

Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18.

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17.

Dick Tiel

Whom Do You Serve

“Whom Do You Serve?”

You have to serve somebody.

Key Verse:  Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

“No one can serve two masters at the same time. He will hate one of them and love the other. Or he will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can't serve God and Money at the same time.”

Bible Passage:  Matthew 6:19-24 (NIV)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!  No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Lesson Thought

As we come to the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asks a very important question: “Whom do you serve? You can’t serve two masters!” So whom do you serve? We would like to think we can have the best of both worlds here on earth as well as in heaven. Jesus makes it very clear that we cannot serve two masters. You can’t serve God and money, can’t serve God and your family, can’t serve God and your job, can’t even serve God and the church. Your service must be reserved for God and Him alone. The things that we hold onto so dearly here on earth cannot become what consumes or masters us. That must be God alone. God is calling us to an uncompromising life of service to Him as our Master. Only you and God know who you truly are serving. Daily we must ask ourselves “Whom do we serve”?  Bob Dylan said “You may serve the devil or you may serve the Lord but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

Application: what does this lesson say to us today?

1) Has any thing mastered you today?  Is there something or someone you serve besides God?

2) Today, have I tried to have the best of both worlds?

Family Activities:  putting the lesson into action

Put one piece of candy or fruit on a paper plate.   Have one family member pretend to be a waiter or waitress.  Have two other family members pretend to be customers and sit at opposite sides of the room.  The waiter must now serve both customers at the same time without dividing up the candy or fruit.  No sharing allowed!  Have everyone take turns being the waiter or waitress and the customers.  Can both customers be served at the same time with the one piece of food?  Why not?  Discuss how, for similar reasons, we cannot serve two masters at the same time.

Suggestions for further study

Philippians 3:7-8

Mike Pyrzynski