Hear and Do the Word

February 2, 2014 Background Scripture: James 1:19 – 27 Lesson Passage: James 1:19 – 27 The Sunday School lessons for this month will come from the Epistle of James. James addressed his letter to the Jewish Christians who were scattered throughout the region as a result of religious persecution. This letter provides instructions on the practical application of Christian principles and a step-by-step approach to living in this world as Christians—even in the face of persecution. Christians should believe that persecution that comes as a result of doing the will of God as we are led by the Spirit is reason to rejoice. When we are attacked for doing good deeds, we should remember that it is because we are children of God. Prayer should be an ongoing part of Christian living. Through prayer, we should be confident that God is hearing us and working out everything for our good. James also reminded them that earthly glory can be fleeting. In the scriptures which comprise the text of today’s lesson, James wrote instructions that give the proper conduct for Christians. Many of us cause ourselves and others undue harm by talking when we should be listening. It is always better to have an understanding before we take action. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we learn to listen to what others are saying so we can gain a better understanding even before we speak. Sometimes we are angered by situations or we have incorrect suppositions because we have not listened to others and we have allowed our emotions to get the best of us. We cannot live and act as God would have us when we are angry towards others. Our attitude affects how effective we are in behaving in a God-fearing manner. In quietness we should receive the word of God and meditate on it. Through prayer and meditation, we should allow the word of God to become united with our very being. It should be more than rote memory of scriptures that we can repeat without obeying what those scriptures say to us about how we ought to live. When we hear the word of God and don’t allow it to fuse with us internally, it is like looking at ourselves in a mirror but when we turn from the mirror, we can no longer recall all of the details of our image. God’s word gives us instructions on how we should live in this world. What actions should we take? How should we react? What should we say? When should we speak and when should we be quiet? What attitude should we have as we go through life? The word of God answers all of these questions and questions we don’t even know to ask or how to ask them. Christians should follow the instructions of God’s word at all times. We should not attempt to depend on the word of God only when we think we have no other options. The instructions in God’s word should be a part of the deeds we do on a daily basis. Christianity is not what people put on display for others to admire. Christianity is the life Christians live at all times. Professing one thing and living another is emptiness and hypocrisy. Christians should be inspired to look after the least of those among us. God’s law of love should guide Christians and then we would not be prone to become embroiled in the wickedness and greed of this world. Then our religion will be pure before God. Robert C. Hudson January 27, 2013

Showing Compassion for the Poor

January 26, 2014 Background Scripture: Luke 16 Lesson Passage: Luke 16:19 – 31 Many of the principles Jesus taught are coming under attack in America today. The socio-political climate in our country is moving in a direction that favors individual greed and accomplishment above care and concern for others. When a political leader says something about compassion for others, he or she is often labeled a communist or a socialist. When a community leader speaks of helping the least among us, he or she is sometimes accused of inciting bitterness and division between the classes. Much of today’s arguments revolve around the question of how governments should spend money that is received through taxation. These arguments take place on the local, state, and federal levels. Conservatives claim that liberal policies are unfair to small businesses and industrial complexes which create jobs for everybody. Liberals claim that conservatives are putting “big money” interests above ethics and morals. Lost in the arguments is the notion that people are on this planet for a higher purpose than to become slaves of economic systems. We all live on this planet which is hurling through space at an astronomical speed and individual lifespan here is limited. Therefore, it would serve us well to seek the guidance and support of the Creator who put us here. Many of us claim to have a personal relationship with our Creator—and this applies to both conservatives and liberals. Those who believe the bible know that it teaches that the poor will always be here. Many are taking advantage of this through get-rich-quick schemes and deceptive promises that a person can have anything they desire even though they are poor. Gaming operations make millions while the poor get poorer chasing futility. Many hit rock-bottom after losing everything and decide that is not low enough. So they turn to drugs, alcohol, and crime as coping mechanisms. None of us are exempt from the possibility of being or becoming poor. In our lesson today, we are taught what attitude we should have regarding the poor. Jesus was in the midst of a discourse with his disciples concerning stewardship and righteous living when he told them about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. What Jesus said appears to be a parable. The difficulty with being sure of that is twofold. First, Luke does not say that Jesus put forth a parable prior to presenting the story. Secondly, Jesus did not use a personal name to identify anyone in his other parables. Whether it is a parable or not is inconsequential. Jesus told of a rich man who lived very well while Lazarus was poor and his body was covered with sores. Lazarus was laid at the rich man’s gate and wanted to have the crumbs which fell from his table. Jesus does not tell us anything the rich man did or said concerning Lazarus and his condition. He does tell us that both Lazarus and the rich man died. It was what happened after their death that made Jesus’ message clear. Lazarus was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom and the rich man went to a place of pain and suffering. From the flames of torment the rich man could see Lazarus and begged Abraham to let Lazarus dip his finger in some water and use it to cool his tongue. Abraham rebuked the rich man and told him that the afterlife was as it should be because of how they had each lived prior to death. Their fortunes were reversed. Jesus’ message serves as a warning to be careful how we treat the poor in this world. Let us show compassion. Robert C. Hudson January 11, 2013

Enlarging Your Circle

January 19, 2014 Background Scripture: Luke 14:7 – 24 Lesson Passage: Luke 14: 7 –18a, 21 – 24 Jesus’ life was always about serving others and edifying them at the same time. He used many different occasions as teaching moments with his disciples and others who happened to be present. Because we do most of our teaching or discussing of the scriptures in a church setting, it is easy to forget that the majority of the information about Jesus’ life details events that occurred away from the temple and synagogues. Today’s lesson occurs at a private banquet that Jesus and his disciples were attending. Jesus commented on the behavior of the host and his guests after he had observed them. To the host, Jesus suggested that he invite guests other than his family, friends, and rich neighbors. But rather, he should invite those who are not financially able to have their own banquet and return the favor by inviting the host to their event. Jesus observed that some of the guests were choosing to sit in places designated for the elite among them. Those places were called the chief seats. Jesus warned them that their behavior could eventually lead to embarrassment if someone more important than them arrived later and the guest who arrived earlier would be asked to move so that the late arriver could take his seat. He taught them that even if they think they deserve a special place at the table, sit somewhere else and they will be honored when the host invites them to the special seat in the presence of the other guests. Jesus reminded one of the diners that it is a privilege to be invited to a private banquet. As such, one should strive to reply to the invitation and set aside time to attend. Again, Jesus is our example of this. Jesus took three to three and a half years to teach and train his disciples prior to his death, burial, and resurrection. After his resurrection, he was here for forty additional days. As monumental as the task of selecting and training disciples to become apostles was, he took time to attend private banquets and a wedding during that time. He did not shun those events. It was clear that he expected his followers to continue to be a part of everyday life but he taught them that their behavior should be different than others while in those everyday settings. Jesus did not subscribe to the notion that while one is in Rome he should do as the Romans. While followers of Jesus are in Rome, the Romans should note that Jesus’ followers behave differently. This point was borne out in the book of Acts when the religious leaders took note of Jesus’ disciples and could discern that they had been with Jesus. Jesus also spoke of the consequences of not accepting invitations. The person who rejects the invitation could lose the privilege of being on the invitation list in the future. Obviously this lesson Jesus taught has many spiritual overtones. Then he commented about those who were not on the invitation list previously. When the first group refused to reply in the affirmative to the invitation, the host avoided embarrassment by expanding the list to include the previously uninvited. This is another reminder to the host that he should expand his social circle. While those who were invited turned the invitation down, there were others who were willing to attend. Likewise, we are commissioned by Jesus to go into the world and extend the invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb and his bride, the Church. All who are invited will not accept the invitation so we should continue to expand the circle of invitees so that the Lord’s banquet will be filled. Robert C. Hudson January 7, 2013

Living as God’s People

January 12, 2014 Background Scripture: Luke 6:12 – 49 Lesson Passage: Luke 6:12, 13, 17 – 31 Jesus taught many lessons on how children of God should live and conduct themselves in this world. Perhaps none of his teachings on this subject are as detailed and profound as that in his Sermon on the Mount. Much of Luke 6 parallels the teachings of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. It is not clear whether Matthew and Luke are recording the same event since Jesus was known to teach about a subject more than once during his ministry. In fact, he is recorded as using the phrase “again, I say unto you” quite often in the gospel narratives. If this is the same event, it is interesting to note that Matthew records much more information than Luke which is uncharacteristic of the two writers. On the other hand, there are some critical facts that Luke includes in this text which is what one comes to expect of Luke’s writings. According to the text, Jesus was preparing to select twelve men to become his apprentices or disciples. Jesus was going to spend the next three and a half years pouring his teachings into them and afterwards he commissioned them to go and make disciples of the entire world. Rather than use his divine attribute of omniscience to select them, he humbled himself and submitted himself to his Heavenly Father. So he spent all night in prayer to God. This is an excellent model to follow when preparing to make major decisions. The next day, he called all of his students or followers to him and from among them he selected twelve. Together, they approached the crowd in the plains where he healed the sick among them and then began to teach them about the blessings of being a part of the kingdom of God. The blessings he spoke of were to be received later in heaven rather than during their earthly life. They were going to endure many trials and hardships in their future but Jesus was teaching them to look beyond their present circumstances of distress and he assured them of a future reward for their endurance. Some of their persecutions would come because of their relationship with Jesus and they would be rewarded greatly because of their suffering. These would not be isolated incidents but persecution would become a part of their way of life as children of God. Tribulations could not be avoided but they were given assurance of their future reward to help them endure the suffering. Then Jesus turned from acknowledging their emotional and social pains in this world to warn those who have it easy in this world. The earthly blessings of this life are the totality of their reward. In the afterlife beyond this world, their fortunes would be reversed and they shall lack a reward in the future and their present joy would become anguish and pain in the future. From there his teaching moved towards how to live according to the Law of love. Jesus taught them the proper actions and response to others as children of God. There are expectations of how children of God should live in this life. Jesus taught them how to live up to the expectations that God has of His children. Our lesson passage ends with what we know as the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do onto you. This is how we live as God’s people. Robert C. Hudson January 6, 2013