New Family in Christ

May 3, 2009

Background Scripture: Ephesians 1:3 – 14
Lesson Passage: Ephesians 1:3 – 14

The family unit is the basic building block of a society. There are a number of ways in our society whereby a person becomes a part of a new family. The more common ways are adoption, foster care, and marriage. In each case, the new member becomes acquainted with other members of the family even as they become familiar with the new member. Sometimes the process is a joy and sometimes it is not. Nevertheless, all members of the family must come to understand and know the family and their role as a member of it. Membership in a family comes with privileges and responsibilities. The family has a history that was there before the new member’s arrival. New members have an ongoing responsibility to uphold the family’s honor as well as be a productive family member. As we begin a series of studies in Ephesians, Paul will help us understand more about the Christian family of which we have become members.

We are spiritually rich because we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Heaven. We were chosen to be members of this spiritual family before the earth was formed. We were chosen to become holy not because we were. Since these things took place before the earth was formed, we could not possibly have had anything to do with it. Our salvation is all a work of God. It pleased God to order circumstances to assure that we would be adopted as children through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the central focus of God’s divine plan. Jesus’ blood was the price paid for our redemption. Because of Adam’s sin, we were born into a sin situation that caused a separation between us and God’s plan for us. By natural birth, we were the property of sin and estranged from the family of God. Jesus redeemed us back to God. Part of our family history includes what God accomplished for us through Jesus. God does not want us to be ignorant of this. God has provided for us that we would know his purpose for us in Christ. God is very methodical in working out his plan for us. He does not bring us all in wholesale as just another number. He comes into our lives and brings us one by one into the family. God deals with us in a very personal way. That is one of the reasons we don’t all have the same testimony. The family of God grows one member at a time. Although several individuals may respond at what seems to be the same time, God has in fact summoned us individually. This is part of God’s predestination for the family. The family was destined to grow over time as we are all gathered together in Christ. We are all made heirs of eternity through Jesus. The process God uses to gather the family members is the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Family members respond through their faith to the calling that was established in them before the foundation of the earth. After believing the gospel message and accepting it and our individual responsibility, the indwelling Spirit of God comes in as a seal or guarantee that God’s promises are sure and that all things are secure for now and throughout eternity for the family member. In this passage of scripture, Paul declares God to be the source of the blessing, Jesus to be the vehicle through whom the blessing is received, and the Holy Ghost as the assurance of our eternal inheritance.

Robert C. Hudson
April 22, 2009

Help Those in Need

April 26, 2009

Background Scripture: Acts 9:32 – 43
Lesson Passage: Acts 9:32 – 43

Today's lesson represents one of the last passages of scripture that detail the ministry of the Apostle Peter. Knowing that Luke wrote the details of the Book of Acts, as he put it in his gospel account, in order so that Theophilus could be certain of what had happened, then the incidents of this passage of scripture took place between the conversion of Paul and Peter’s preaching to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house. This passage tells us the reason for Peter’s movement throughout the regions. The New Testament church was still forming and yet in its infancy. As such, isolated groups of saints relied heavily on the itinerant trips made by the apostles of Jesus Christ. Here, it states that Peter was now visiting groups of saints in the various regions. These visits were important for strengthening those new converts spiritually and also providing comfort in the midst of hostile situations. With religion in general and Christianity specifically being treated as fashion statements today, it can be difficult for one to appreciate that there was a time when being labeled a Christian was a dangerous proposition. When one stepped out in faith and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the world was not cheering for them and wishing them well. The Jewish religious community was one group that seemed to truly despise these renegades that came to be known as Christians. Although at this time, it was the Jewish religious community that was the target of Christian evangelists—yet this same community was also the most vicious enemy of Christians. In Jerusalem, Christians still gathered in the Jewish temple. In communities outside Jerusalem, it was not unusual for Christian communities to gather in the Jewish synagogue. But as the locations became more numerous and more spread out where pockets of Christians could be found, it became necessary for the apostles to visit these communities on a somewhat regular basis. Before these communities were formally organized into local churches with officers such as bishops and deacons, the Apostles still had accountability for the spiritual growth and well-being of the saints there. As evangelism continued to push Christianity from Jerusalem throughout the world it became more and more important to have organized local churches to handle the spiritual affairs of those remote groups. But this time was still a distance away from the events of our lesson. Therefore, Peter traveled throughout all the regions or quarters where saints could be found. There he continued the ministry that Jesus taught them when he sent them out by twos; they were to live within that community and use the gifts of God to bless those that received them. It is interesting to note that in this passage of scripture today Peter is providing ministries of service to those that he encountered as opposed to preaching to them. I believe this is instructive because it is a reminder for us today that people have physical needs as well as emotional needs that they look for Christian leaders to meet on their behalf. To the lame man on the bed, a word from God might have been refreshing but I dare say it was better when he received healing from God. For the family and loved ones of the young woman who had died, words of consolation perhaps would have been useful but to witness the power of God in raising her up and restoring her to their company in fellowship was better. Our lesson is very much about helping those in need. The world needs the message of the gospel. People need to hear a word from God. In the midst of teaching and preaching, however, let us not forget or overlook the fact that people still need physical and emotional healing from those that are spiritually mature. Help those in need.

Robert C. Hudson
April 20, 2009

You are Witnesses

April 19, 2009

Background Scripture: Luke 24:36 – 53
Lesson Passage: Luke 24:44 – 53

When it comes to establishing truth, an eyewitness account is a hallmark of the human justice system. It seems as though this has been the case since man began to keep a record of history. God made it an important part of Hebrew jurisprudence when he gave the civil law to Moses that Israel would use to judge between individuals. In the Law of Moses, truth was to be established by the consensus of two or three witnesses. Even Jesus in defending his character against the attacks of some the religious leaders, used this model by calling on his works, Moses’ writings, John the Baptist’s testimony, and the witness of the Father as proof of who he is. Eyewitnesses have long been considered key to establishing truth. Now the greatest truth that the world could ever receive needs to be established for the benefit of mankind. This is the truth that’s in the gospel message; Jesus came to save us from our sins through his death and his resurrection is the ultimate proof. Therefore, the eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection must be summoned before the world court of human conscience. There, they must declare this truth to a sin-sick world so that those who receive it by faith can be saved. Our lesson today describes the divine summon whereby these witnesses were called.

In the background scripture, there is much conversation, confusion, and fear among the followers of Jesus after sporadic reports of his post-resurrection sightings. He had appeared to Mary Magdalene, Peter, and two other unnamed disciples. As these two unnamed disciples began to tell their story to the Ten (Thomas was not present), Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst. Fear quickly set in as they supposed they were actually seeing his ghost. Jesus gave them words of assurance that he was there in their midst in bodily form and not as a spirit. He invited them to touch him and examine his nail scarred hands and feet. To further put their fear to rest, he requested food from them and ate it in their presence. He reminded them that all of this was a fulfillment of prophecy concerning him and that those things had to occur. Then he issued the divine summon to them. “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.” Jesus had finished his part. Now, those eyewitnesses were going to be summoned to do their part. They would be divinely prepared to carry out their mission. Jesus had previously promised that he would not leave them without a Comforter; he would send them the Spirit of Truth who would stay with them forever and help them. This final preparation would take place some days after this encounter but it would set in motion the preaching of the gospel message throughout the world. As people believe the gospel, they too are empowered by the indwelling Spirit of Truth and they are also made witnesses. These subsequent witnesses would not be giving eyewitness accounts but personal testimonies of their spiritual encounter with the risen Lord. Those first witnesses would establish the foundation of the New Testament church and subsequent witnesses would build on that foundation. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If so, then you have the witness within you and you are witnesses by way of personal testimony.

Robert C. Hudson
April 10, 2009

He is Risen

April 12, 2009

Background Scripture: Luke 24:1 – 12
Lesson Passage: Luke 24:1 – 12

Last week’s lesson ended with the body of Jesus being placed in the sepulcher and a group of women noting where the body was laid. These Galilean women had followed Jesus during his ministry and ministered to him of their substance because he had healed them of evil spirits and other infirmities. They prepared spices and ointments to be used after the Sabbath to anoint Jesus’ body because they did not have enough time to do it before the beginning of the Sabbath. These women observed God’s commandment to remember the Sabbath day and therefore they rested in anticipation of finishing the work after the Sabbath was ended. Luke named three of them as being Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The Gospel of Luke identifies these women as dedicated supporters during Jesus’ ministry who had followed him from the region of Galilee in the north to Judea in the south. Now that Jesus was dead, they seemed determined to show their respect and give him a proper burial by anointing his body. Their well-intended plans were about to be disrupted. They would have to throw their anointment mixture away or find some other use for it.

The greatest story ever told has not yet ended but the middle scene is absolutely awesome! “He is not here, but is risen:” are words that can cause demons to tremble. This is the gospel’s stamp of authenticity. All who came before Jesus and all who have and shall come after him failed this one crucial test. Are they really bigger than life? Do they have power and authority over death? Can they lay down their life and pick it up again? If the answer to these questions is not “yes”, then they are not authentic. Sooner or later death overtakes them and they are silenced by the grave. The only one who can undo their situation is the one who has the keys to death and the grave. Those who claim to be equal to or better than Jesus must depend on Jesus to wake them up out of death. They are all phonies, impostors, perpetrators, “wanna be’s”, and deceivers. There is only one who is the real deal; that one is Jesus. He declared at the beginning what he would do and then he did it. Those who lived during that time showed that they could not refute what had happened even when they tried to silence Jesus’ followers. There is no recorded history of anyone offering proof at that time that what is reported in the gospel accounts was incorrect. Many fought the spread of the gospel story because it seemed to have conflicted with their personal interests, but still, none offered a rebuttal to the witness of the apostles or the other over five hundred eyewitnesses (according to the Apostle Paul). To this very day, some two thousand years later, the gospel message engenders hope in the hearts of believers. This hope is further bolstered by the gift of the indwelling Spirit of God in the hearts of believers. After the gospel message is received and believed, then God places his seal on all believers. “He is not here, but is risen:” continues to inspire followers today. That phrase is dwarfed only by the promise that he’s coming back again in bodily form to receive his church.


Robert C. Hudson
April 2, 2009

Jesus is Crucified

April 5, 2009

Background Scripture: Luke 23

Lesson Passage: Luke 23:32 – 47

The heart of the gospel message is that Jesus was without sin but yet he died as a substitute for sinful mankind. His death was the price that had to be paid for sin. There is no other event that concisely conveys the message of the gospel like the death of Jesus. For centuries, many have sought to understand the full essence or meaning of the death of Jesus. Jesus’ death is a historical fact. That he was sinless and the substitute for sinful man is the doctrinal basis of salvation by grace. The gospel accounts show that many who knew the man Jesus had difficulty accepting the totality of his being. It was easier to accept Jesus as being a Jewish martyr than for them to think of him as being larger than life—in fact, the life giver. “But as many as received him to them he gave the right to become the children of God.”

In our lesson today, we examine the historical account of Jesus’ death as recorded by Luke. Luke was the beloved physician according to the Apostle Paul. The gospel account that Luke recorded is filled with details not found in the other three accounts. As a historian who was not an eyewitness, Luke depended heavily on the accounts of others. No doubt, his curiosity and attention to details would have been honed as part of his training as a physician. Luke’s name indicates a Grecian background. The Greeks were known for their love of wisdom (phileo sophia) which gave rise to many highly regarded philosophers. His account of the gospel as well as early recording of the history of the New Testament church (Book of Acts) were addressed to Theophilus; who also had a Grecian name. Luke’s account emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. This makes his account a very good document for understanding historical facts about Jesus. Luke presents the facts without detracting from the Lordship and miracles of Jesus.

Chapter 23 picks up after the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, the arrest by the Jewish officers, and the Sanhedrin trial. The three civil trials (two by Pilate and one by Herod) are presented where it is made clear that there were no legitimate charges against Jesus. This was declared by those who sat in judgment of him. This historical fact is important to understanding the vicarious nature of Jesus’ death. If he deserved to die, then it would have been for his own crime or sin. Since neither Pilate nor Herod could find any evidence against Jesus, it is a historical fact that Jesus was punished for something he did not do. On the other hand, there was a criminal, by the name of Barabbas, who had been sentenced to death for rioting and murder and he was being held by the Romans. At the demand of the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd they were encouraging, Barabbas was set free and Jesus was sentenced to death. Just as Jesus was the substitute for sinful man, Barabbas is symbolic of unredeemed man justly sentenced. The crucifixion, the repentant thief, the suffering and then death of Jesus ensued. The chapter closes with the body of Jesus being taken from the cross and buried in a cave and his mourners returning to their homes to rest during the Sabbath.

Robert C. Hudson

March 30, 2009