God Picked You!

November 6, 2022 Background Scripture: Acts 19; Ephesians 1:1 - 14; Revelation 2:1 - 7 Lesson Passage: Ephesians 1:1 - 14 The Background Scripture for today's lesson contains three passages that reference the Christian congregation located at Ephesus. God led Paul to establish that congregation beginning with twelve people who were disciples, or followers, of John the Baptist's teaching. After Paul led the initial twelve converts to receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, he remained in Ephesus for two years teaching concerning the things of the kingdom. God worked many miracles through Paul during that time. Those miracles validated Paul's ministry. This caused the word of God to be spread throughout that region. Paul's ministry was met with much opposition by some of the locals because of the entrenched worship of the goddess Diana in that area. Ephesus was the location of the great temple built and dedicated to Diana. Many Ephesian merchants earned a living creating and selling wares dedicated to Diana. The Christian congregation at Ephesus was seen as a threat by those merchants. The church at Ephesus is also addressed by John in the first of the seven letters God directed him to write to different congregations in the Book of Revelation. The Ephesian congregation was reminded to return to their original faith that was first delivered to them. Christian congregations are not shielded from the influence and temptations of the world, Each must struggle in its physical location to remain faithful to their calling in Christ Jesus. Demonic activities and the lust of the flesh intensify the struggle. Individual members of the congregation and those sent by God to serve the congregation are at the frontline of this spiritual warfare. Oftentimes, there is need for encouragement to persevere through it all. Words of encouragement for the Ephesian Christians can be found in the opening salutation of the letter Paul wrote to them. Paul reminded them that their salvation had been orchestrated by God. Everything needed for salvation had been accomplished by Jesus Christ through the giving of His life as the payment for sin. God, in His infinite wisdom and divine foreknowledge, had determined beforehand the salvation He had planned for them. God accomplished all this before He created the world. This was not fate, but a carefully developed and executed plan of salvation that includes the willful acceptance by mankind. Because of His foreknowledge, God knows who will accept His plan and who will not. All who will accept God's plan of salvation are preserved in life by God and brought to the point where a personal decision can be made. At no point does God remove the free will of the individual. Accepting salvation in Jesus Christ is always a personal decision. God predestines those who will make that choice to be adopted into His family. Predestination and the Christian Doctrine of Election can be difficult concepts to grasp in an age where people are taught to rely on themselves only. "Education is the key to your future." "Work hard and keep your nose clean and life will work out just fine for you." "The key to life is to treat people the way you want to be treated." All those statements are great advice to anyone. However, anyone who attempts to go through life without a relationship with God will be disappointed in the future. We can set goals and have great aspirations in life. Goals and aspirations do not create purpose in a person's life. The greatest joy is to realize that one's purpose in life is to come into the right relationship with God and grow in that relationship. The joy comes from the knowledge that God picked you! Robert C. Hudson October 26, 2022

David Anointed as King

October 30, 2022 Background Scripture: I Samuel 16:1 -13 Lesson Passage: I Samuel 16:1 - 13 In last week's lesson, Saul was anointed as Israel's first king. Given his physical attributes, Saul was a man the nation was eager to have as king. When Saul was presented to them, they shouted, "Long live the king!" Saul could have made his reign successful by following the Lord. Instead, he did even as God had Samuel to warn the elders that he would do. Saul did what pleased the people despite clear instructions from God through Samuel. Saul even made excuses for his decisions that he knew went contrary to God's instructions. God sent Saul and Israel's army to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Saul kept the king alive to parade in front of the people like a victory trophy. Further, they were supposed to destroy all the possessions of the Amalekites. Instead, they kept the best- looking livestock allegedly to offer to God as a burnt offering. As a result of his continuous disobedience, God rejected Saul as king over His people, Samuel was disappointed with Saul's behavior and rebuked him to no avail. Saul readily admitted to doing the wrong thing, but he didn't change his behavior. Samuel was grieved because of Saul. God told Samuel to stop grieving for Saul and go to Bethlehem with the anointing oil to anoint the next king of Israel. God had chosen one of Jesse's sons to be king over the Lord's people. Samuel feared that Saul would learn about his actions and kill him. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to make a sacrifice to Him and invite Jesse to the sacrifice. God would give Samuel the details of what to do after he arrives in Bethlehem. Samuel's behavior is a good example of faith. He went to where God sent him without having the details as to what he was going to do while there. Samuel went with God's assurance that God would show him what to do. Samuel thought he would be able to see what God was doing ahead of time. God informed him that people judge by what they see on the outside of a person whereas God judges based on what He sees on the inside. Jesse presented seven of his sons before Samuel one at a time. God assured Samuel that He had not chosen any of them to be king over His people. Samuel questioned Jesse as to whether all his sons were present. Jesse indicated that the youngest son was not there because he was watching the sheep. Samuel requested the presence of the youngest son before they proceeded further. When David entered, God instructed Samuel to rise and anoint him for he was the chosen one. Samuel poured the anointing oil on David in the presence of everyone there. The Spirit of God came on David from that day. The Spirit's presence was made obvious by the power of God working through David. And with that, a young shepherd boy, David, was anointed to be Israel's second king. God later made a covenant with David that extended the reign of his descendant throughout eternity. This was an honor incomparable to anything God had bestowed on anyone else. David was too young to serve as a warrior in Israel's army. But, when no one else was around, he had proven himself in God's eyes when he defended the sheep against a lion and a bear, David risked his life to protect the defenseless sheep of his father. Such behavior is not motivated by the person' s ability or appearance. That must be inside the person before the incident occurs. Samuel thought he could judge Jesse's sons by looking at the outside. What God desired in a leader for His people was based on what was inside the person. Inside the person's heart is where God does His inventory of the person's worth. Watching someone's sheep and risking your life for the protection of those sheep is the stuff God saw in David. Samuel poured the oil on David, and God poured out His Spirit on him. And David was anointed king. Robert C. Hudson October 1, 2022