A Faithful People: Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending November 22, 2009

Purpose: To grasp that our participation in the divine nature enables us to live godly lives.

Scripture Text: 2 Peter 1:3-15 (NRSV)

2 peter 1:3-15
(3)His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (4)Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. (5)For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, (6)and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, (7)and godliness with, and mutual affection with love. (8)For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(9)For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. (10)Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. (11)For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

(12) Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you. (13)I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, (14) since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. (15)And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

My thoughts on this particular passage may not express the same thoughts as those contained in the Adult Commentary for the UMC. I had trouble with the commentary as presented in the denominational teachers guide. The first was the authorship of this epistle; they imply that Peter was not the writer and would rather have us believe an individual that hijacked Peter's identity in the late 2nd century is really the writer. This is a modern belief because of writing style, rather than accept the fact Peter may have written several letters to the churches of Asia Minor, and this writing may have been penned by someone other than Silas/Silvanus that was the scribe of the first letter by Peter. Certainly if the writer was not Peter he was guilty of claiming to be Peter and to have witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus (v-18). I am amazed sometimes that those that are 2000 years from the event think they know more that those that argued for the canonization 1700 years ago. I am willing to step out in faith and accept Peter as the author and also accept it was a different scribe, which did the actual writing.

The reason for a second letter going out to the churches was Peter, as well as Paul and possibly John, was distressed that the church was deviating from the teachings of Jesus as witnessed by the true Apostles and starting to follow off chutes of Jesus and the Apostles original teachings. Peter attempts to bring them back to the original teachings of Paul and the other Apostles. From the text we can see that both Peter and Paul's time was growing short, it was obvious now that Christ would not return within their lifetime and they wanted those that they had witnessed to, to understand the importance of living a moral and good life.

To me this passage is about the divine power or Holy Spirit that has given us everything we need to live a successful Christian life. Part of that is our ability to be good, and to live a holy life. We have within us, by the divine power that is alive in us because of our faith in everything that we have heard and experienced, the power to overcome the corruptness and worldly lust that is all around us. It is our responsibility to respond to the love that God has shown to us, to live a holy and good life knowing it is not our own goodness or holiness that sets us apart for God, but rather our obedience to His call on our life.

Peter lists seven virtues that a person with the divine power in their life will exhibit:

• FAITH, the basis for belief in His promises;
• GOODNESS, or moral excellence, always our goal;
• KNOWLEDGE, not book smarts, but acknowledging God's gift of His Son;
• SELF-CONTROL, choosing how we handle life's temptations;
• ENDURANCE, putting our trust in God with knowledge that He is faithful for the long haul;
• GODLINESS, giving God the honor and glory he deserves by trying to emulate His goodness;
• MUTUAL AFFECTION, loving one another and respecting one another.

If we allow these seven virtues to work within us we will have productive and fruitful lives, and if we lack any of these virtues we are nearsighted and blind to all that God has done for us, including forgiving our past sins and transgressions.

In verse 10 Peter seems to be encouraging those that have made this commitment to be baptized, confirming the call of Christ on their lives. In the first century church there was no infant baptism, only a believer’s baptism.

Peter closes this portion by sharing that his death may be near, just as Jesus had told him. He also makes a reference that provides some friction between two beliefs, one that the soul is housed within the body (or visa versa) and while the body stays on earth the soul goes on to be with the Lord. Immortality of the soul was a common belief amongst the Greeks. The Jewish tradition teaches a second belief, that the soul and body are intertwined and one can not exist without the other, hence the importance of the resurrection. In our own beliefs, we recite the creeds that state we believe in the resurrection of the body, but many of us really believe in the eternal soul without the body, or that the two will be joined together again after Christ returns to claim and unite both body and soul.

Is your belief soul and body separate? Or is it that the soul remains with the body until the resurrection of the dead?

Peter is trying his best to make certain they do not forget his teachings, and will remember what he has taught them along with the other Apostles, and not listen to these other teachings that are coming from what some call the sub-apostles or a generation removed from those that walked and talked to Christ while He was on this earth.

A Suffering People: Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending November 15, 2009

Purpose: To consider what it means to share in Christ's sufferings

Scripture Text: I Peter 4:12-19 (NRSV)

I peter 4:12-19
(12) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (13)But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.(14)If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. (15)But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief-maker. (16)Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.(17)For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

(18)And ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?’ (19)Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

First from a historical standpoint, Peter's letter is not being written to a group of believers in Asia Minor that is suffering persecution in the same sense as those that will suffer at the end of the first century. Christians under heavy persecution by the state would come a generation later as recorded in the Book of Revelation, by the Apostle John. Even Peter, who may have been feeling some pressure from Nero, was not being persecuted like he will suffer within a few years at the hands of the Roman government when Nero blames Christians for the great fire that destroys much of Rome, and Peter is crucified upside down (by his own request) because of his belief

The persecution that Peter speaks of seems to be more like segregation, becoming a Christian caused many to be segregated from their family and friends; they were in a sense cut off from community. Many may have lost jobs, and certainly friends because of their belief. Not unlike what happened to those in the African-American community during our first 200 years, or what is happening today to those from Muslim countries within our borders. Being a Christian in the first generation after Christ's death on the cross, cost people their family and friends.

In her book “Traveling Mercies; Some Thoughts on Faith” Anne Lamott tells of her hesitancy to leave a life of drugs, alcohol, and adultery. She knew she would have to give up her friends and the lifestyle she was living. She would be laughed at, and chastised because she would no longer be part of that community. Many of those within this new community of Christians that Peter addresses will suffer the same consequence.

We can sense Peter’s compassion and love for these early Christians, when he addresses them with “beloved.” Peter addresses both the “fiery ordeal” and the “joy” that comes from suffering for the sake of Christ. One thing this does not mean is that suffering pain because of sickness or injury, or being poor, or even breaking the law, is the same as suffering for our belief in Christ. While it is true that suffering some of life's hardships can bring us closer to Christ, that is different than suffering because of Christ. In the same way it is not always God's will that we suffer sickness or accidents or other catastrophes in our life, but we do have a chance to turn those events into positives when they allow us to become closer in our walk with Christ, and in our ability to share our faith with others.

Peter makes certain they understand the difference between suffering because they broke the law “by being a murderer, a thief, a criminal or even a mischief maker,” and suffering because they named the name of Christ. Notice in verse 17 the judgment begins with the “Household of God;” being a Christian does not remove you from God's judgment; it only forces you to trust in God's grace and mercy during that judgment, and to continue “to do good.”

Today there are parts of our own hemisphere where Christians are persecuted, like
Cuba and Venezuela. I would encourage you to go CSI website and see where Christians are being persecuted today. I would also challenge you “to do good,” until Christ returns.

A Chosen People: Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending November 8,2009

Purpose: To examine what it means to be God's chosen people

Scripture Text: I Peter 2:1-10 (NRSV)

I peter 2:1-10
(1)Rid yourselves therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. (2)2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— (3)if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

(4) Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and (5)like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6)For it stands in scripture:

‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’

(7)To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner’,
(8)and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

(9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.(10)Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

For centuries Christians have used the words “chosen people” to put down anyone who does not believe or look like us, as something less than us. Let me start by saying everyone was chosen by God to receive His love and grace, unfortunately not everyone was, or is willing, to receive that love and grace God chooses to save everyone, some choose not be saved. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” That has always been the great theological debate, God's sovereignty, verse man's free will.”

The history of slavery, is a good example of God's chosen, not doing His will. In our society today it can also be said “the chosen” have not always treated the homosexual with the love and grace that Christ seems to teach. Being God's chosen does not mean we are to oppress those that are different from ourselves. “Love one another, as I have loved you.” It also does not mean we are to wink at sin, and pretend it is not going on.

If we take verse one of our text literally, we should “rid ourselves of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.” Wouldn't that make for an exciting church? Peter is writing to 1st century Christians that have a lot of spiritual learning to do and there is plenty of room for growth, because they have spent centuries not knowing that a loving caring God even existed. Most of Peter’s audience would have been heathens prior to hearing the message of a risen loving Christ. Peter tells them most of the world will reject what God is offering, but if they choose the Lord, they will find that He is good.

Peter also encourages them to build a spiritual house, become a holy priesthood. I take that to mean we should be offering spiritual guidance and comfort to those that have not yet accepted God's gift of love and grace. Those that have not accepted God's gift will stumble and fall because they have rejected the very thing that could save them. Our task as Christians is to proclaim the message of God's love to everyone, because God really wants everyone to receive His blessing. God wants everyone be a benefactor of His mercy, but those that have received the light must be willing to share the light. As Christians we have been called out of the darkness into a marvelous light.

Peter reminds us that it is not how the world sees us, but rather how does God see us. The world may see Christians in much the same way as the world saw Jesus, despised and rejected, our hope and confidence must rest in the merciful redeemer God, the one that has called us from the beginning to accept His love, mercy and grace, and our thanks for that, is our obedience to share the light and the message of God's goodness, from the very beginning God has been good, not only in His creation, which He declared as good, but also in His love. “While we were sinners Christ died for us.” That proves God's goodness.

Why not make a personal commitment to share the “good news” with someone this week.

A Holy People : Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending November 1, 2009

Purpose: To affirm that Christians are called to reflect God's holiness through loving attitudes and actions.

Scripture Text: I Peter 1:13-25 (NRSV)

I peter 1:13-25
(13)Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. (14)Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. (15)Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; (16) for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

(17)If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. (18)You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, (19)but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. (21)Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

(22)Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. (23)You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. (24)For
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
(25)but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
That word is the good news that was announced to you.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

The word “holiness,” when used to describe someone’s Christian discipline is almost a dirty word in some religious circles. To many it implies speaking in tongues or radical emotional behavior, which is not appreciated in many of our churches. When the Apostle Peter uses the word, he means wholeness or completion. The Greek word translated “holiness” literally means, “be all you can be.”

For centuries the word holiness has not necessarily meant Christians are to adhere to some strict moral code, but rather holiness is a joyful response to God's holiness. Christians are called as a people to reflect God's holiness in the community, and to be made whole and complete.

Peter tells us (verse 13) that the recipients of this letter are to fix their hope on the grace of Jesus Christ. We also are to prepare our minds for action. Our old desires should be replaced with a new desire to live a life that would make a parent proud, because we call God our Father. A holy God demands a holy people. Peter took the words Moses used for Israel (verse 16) and applies them to the church. If the church expects to be a powerful growing entity it must be “holy” or it may as well be any civic club or lodge. The one thing that should separate the church from the world is our reflection of God's holiness. "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Verse 17 offers a unique way of looking at God's grace, that is, since the one we call Father is also our judge, we can live in hope. Who of us would not want to go before our earthly father to be judged? We would certainly live in hope that our father would be a fair and maybe even a partial judge. If we are obedient children we can enjoy a gracious relationship with our father. Our obedience is not out of fear, or a set of rules, but rather because we want to please both our earthly and our heavenly Father.

Verse 18 refers to the ransom paid by Jesus, through His blood, and not by trinkets, or treasure, but we are redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Just as the priest of Moses time used the blood of oxen and bulls, so now God has chosen to use the blood of His only Son to purchase the ransom price that sin as put on our heads.

Since we have been redeemed by the most Holy Son of God, again the call is for us to be holy also. The plan that God put into action was “destined before the foundation of the world, but has only been revealed at this time.” (My paraphrase)

Verse 21 tells us it is God's gift to us that allows us to have faith and trust in a risen savior. Faith and hope are not virtues we strive for, but are gifts of the grace of God. Because of our faith, we trust in God: we believe that the resurrection of Christ is a sign of God's power and love; and we share in the glory of the risen Christ. Because of hope we believe these wonderful things will be ours forever. Faith and hope have practical consequences and are revealed in obedience.

Verse 22 says we that have been ransomed have also been purified by our obedience to the truth of love and that includes the love of our fellow man and our community. Our purification comes from the living and enduring word of God. Because God has said He would do this for us, we can have confidence that it is true, “the word of the Lord endures forever.”

When I think of holiness, I think of two people that had tremendous influence in my life, my uncle Lewis Walter and my father-in-law Dayton Korb. Both of these individuals lived lives of holiness, and set an example for me to strive for.

What is your definition of “holiness”? What do you think is the best way for you to reflect God's holiness? Who do you look to for an example of a Christian living a holy life?

Opting Out ! :Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending October 25, 2009

Purpose: To explore in what ways wealth and possessions can hinder love of God and neighbor.

Scripture Text: Mark 10:17-31 (NRSV)

Mark 10:17-31
(17)As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (18)Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. (19)You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.” (20)He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth. (21)Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.(22)When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

(23)Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! (24)And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! (25)It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. (26)They were greatly astounded and said to one another, then who can be saved? (27)Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible. (28) Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. (29)Jesus said, Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, (30)who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

As you read this text some very interesting questions immediately come to mind. The first is what would be Jesus answer to us if we ask the same question as this “rich young ruler”? Second, why is there no mention of the things we normally associate with being saved, such as faith, grace, repentance?

There are many things, in addition to wealth, that can keep us from following Jesus and obtaining eternal life. In today's news we see what a person’s desire for attention and fame can do, not just to an individual but also to the children and family of one so demented and star crazed. With many of us it would not be asking so much to sell all we have and follow Jesus, unless He said leave you pride and worldly desires and follow me. Come; follow me, but no more golf or watching football. No more cheering for Tebow, and the Gators.

What are the things that keep us from surrendering everything to Christ? The rich young ruler went away sad because he had great wealth, but it may have been more than that, he probably also a position in the community of influence and power. Is it possible that Jesus saw that the man was not as truthful as the text implies? In the text Jesus only questions him about the last six commandments. If we break those down as Jesus did when he said there were really only two commandments, love the Lord with all you heart, mind and soul, and thy neighbor as thyself,the only commandments Jesus questions him about are grouped together in, “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Was he loving his neighbors while withholding his wealth from helping some that may have been in need?

The young man does deserve some credit for seeking out Jesus, and trying in his own strength and wisdom to do what he was taught as right. I am afraid the world is full of well meaning individuals that are doing what they feel is right, but it appears that they may fall short when it comes to eternal life with Jesus.

Jesus wants us to be willing to give up what we want and our desires, for working towards increasing His kingdom. Almost everyone called to follow Jesus in the Gospels was asked to leave something behind and follow Jesus, one exception being the thief on the cross; he was rewarded for His belief. Another was Legion the demonic, he was told he could not go with Jesus, but was to return and share with his community what Jesus had done for him.

One thing we can take from a compilation of all those called and saved, in the Gospel stories is they were all treated as individuals, from Mary Magdalene, to Zacchaeus, to Paul; it seems they all had different issues.The two things that are consistent are God's love and grace, and the faith of the individual. None of those called had merited God's favor by their deeds or wealth, but rather by their belief, faith and trust that Jesus was who He said He was, the Son of God.

It is because of God's grace and the faith that He gives to those that seek him, that Jesus can make the statement, “for mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

The rich young ruler chose not to follow Christ, because the price seemed too high, we have no record of him ever changing that decision, but the scriptures tell us “Jesus looked at him, and loved him.” Hopefully the young man responded to that love at some point in his life.

Begging to Get In: Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending October 18,2009

Purpose: To nurture steadfast and relentless faith that challenges prejudice and works for inclusive community.

Scripture Text: Mark 7:24-30 (NRSV)

Mark 7:24-30
24)From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, (25) but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. (26) Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. (27) He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ (28) But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ (29) Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ (30) So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

There is another version of this story in Matthew 15:21-28 that goes: (21) Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.(22) Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ (23) But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ (24) He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ (25) But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ (26) He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ (27) She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ (28) Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.

What are some of the differences you notice between the two stories? The first difference I see is in verse 28 of Matthews version he credits the woman with great faith, while faith is never mentioned in the Mark version. Matthew writing to the Jews of his time refers to the woman as a Canaanite, certainly a defining name for his readers. Mark is writing to different readers, he is writing to the Gentiles of Rome primarily, so he calls her a Syrophoenician woman, a Syrian that lived in Phoenicia, regardless of the title, the point is she was not a Jewish women but rather a Gentile.

In Matthew's story this women seems to be a very vocal distraction to both the disciples and to Jesus. The implication is the disciples wanted her request granted just to shut her up. In Mark, she is depicted as worshiping Jesus, falling at His feet.

In both texts Jesus appears to ignore her initial request. It is the persistence of the woman that tugs at Jesus' heart; He explains that she does not qualify for His mission since she is not a Jew. She is undaunted and indicates she is well aware of that, but is willing to receive just some crumbs from the Son of David’s table, “even dogs are not forbidden the crumbs from the master's table”. Although she had no idea at the time, the time for His ministry to her would be soon, once Jesus was rejected by the Jewish authorities, he would be available to all believers, Jew or Gentile. What Jesus did was give her a foretaste of what would be coming for all. “Blessed assurance Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of Glory divine”

This women sets an example for us, in her statement “have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David;” It is the statement that all sinners must pray in order to receive the gift of eternal life. In Mark the writer calls it begging, in fact, we are all beggars when it comes to getting the promise of eternal life with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Like the Syrophoenician woman we do not deserve to be heard, healed, or redeemed, but by God's mercy and grace, begging is honored.

Recognizing Jesus: Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending October 11, 2009

Purpose: To emphasize the importance of recognizing and being a witness to what God has done for us.

Scripture Text: Mark 5:1-13, 18-20 (NRSV)

Mark 5:1-13, 18-20
(1)They came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gerasenes. (2) And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. (3) He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; (4) for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him.

(5) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. (6) When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; (7) and he shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.’ (8) For he had said to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’ (9) Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘My name is Legion; for we are many.’ (10) He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. (11) Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; (12) and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us into the swine; let us enter them.’ (13) So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned in the lake.

(18)As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. (19) But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ (20) And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

Today's lesson offers many different possibilities for teaching, but I am choosing to take a selfish one, and I am dedicating this lesson to a friend Walter Smith and his wife Edna Anne (Eddie) Smith, who just succumbed to a dreaded demon we call cancer on October 3, 2009.

There are many things to glean from this passage, but let's look at the very last verse (20) “And he went away and began proclaiming in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”

Walter Smith and I grew up in the same rural area of Indiana; Walter was as much of a city kid as you could be in a town with one stop light. I was a farm boy with very little of the sophistication you can get from being a city kid. When our one room school was forced to join the city kids in the seventh grade at Butler, Walter and I became classmates. Walter, when I first met him seemed shy and maybe a bit of a class clown, he was not as athletic as some, but you could always count on him for a laugh. As we progressed through High School, Walter became an amateur magician, and in our senior year got the lead in our class play “A Man Called Peter”. Walter played Peter Marshall, the Chaplain to the United States Senate. That changed Walter's life, and he started preparing for full time Christian service, where he met his wife Edna (Eddie).

Eddie grew up in a missionary family and was called to the mission field as a young girl when she heard the story of the five missionaries that were martyred in Ecuador. And that is why I have selected just the last verse of our text to talk about. The entire lesson takes place in a foreign county, which it is not in the Jewish part of the world at that time but rather in the Greek or Gentile region. It was across the sea from where Jesus and the disciples grew up and lived; the Decapolis was a ten city area on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The demon possessed man would become the first Gentile missionary.

As you read the story, it is almost heart breaking when Jesus tells this young man he can not come with them and proclaim the message in Galilee and Judea, but rather he should go and tell his story of how Jesus worked a miracle in his life, to the Gentiles of the Decapolis.

I recall when Walter was first in college he would visit other churches and put on his magic show and work into the message, how “Jesus had changed his life.” I am sure there were times when he thought he might become a Minister to a nice church in our area, but God called him and his wife “Eddie” to go across the sea and minister in a land that did not know much, if anything about Jesus. Walter and Eddie served on the mission field in Nigeria for over 40 years, most of that time with no dependable electricity or things like health care, that most of us take for granted. Walter and Eddie became responsible for many native missionaries becoming local ministers and teaching their own people about“what Jesus had done for them.”

About a year ago Eddie realized a former problem had returned and she knew there was a good possibility she would have to give up the work that meant so much to her in Nigeria. Walter and Eddie returned to the States to fight the demon that had taken over her body. But Eddie was not content just fighting the demon, she also chronicled for her friends and family everything she was facing both heath wise and spiritually. She called it “The Chronicles of a Shorn Lamb” This week we received word from Walter that the “Shorn Lamb was with the Lord.” Eddie was a gifted writer and her chronicles put most of us to shame for the way she faced the demon of cancer unwavering in her faith. She knew where she was going and faced it unafraid.

Eddie and Walter lived the lesson that our text teaches, we are called to share the message where we can and God knows the best place for each of us to serve.

If any of you would like to help in a worth while ministry, you can do the following:

Memorials for Eddie may be sent to: Walter C. Smith, Missionary to Nigeria, Forwarding Agent: Betty Hafey, 329 Glenmont Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43214
Help train Nigerians to preach the Word and to build the Christian Memorial Hospital. Checks must not have my name on them. They should be marked "special offering," and should be made out to: ACM International

Looking for Jesus Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending October 4, 2009

Purpose: To discover that when we find Jesus, he incorporates us into the community of faith.

Scripture Text: Mark 1:35-45 (NRSV)

Mark 1:35-45
(35)In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. (36)And Simon and his companions hunted for him. (37)When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ (38)He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ (39)And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons

(40) A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ (41)Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ (42)Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.(43)After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, (44)saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ (45)But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

This passage of scripture takes place very early in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptizer, and had been tempted in the wilderness, called His disciples from the shores of Galilee, and spoken at the Synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath. After Jesus had called out an unclean spirit during His teaching at the synagogue, he and the other disciples went to Simon and Andrew's home, where Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Hearing of her illness Jesus took her hand and healed her and she was able to assume her duties as a host. There is one other important bit of information you need to know, and that is from verse 14 of this chapter, “Now after John was put in prison.”

It is important that you understand the political climate in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. They are under Roman rule and they sat on the very fringe of the Persian Empire, which would be Rome's greatest enemy at that time. You could very well compare that part of the world with the Eastern block of nations between the U.S.S.R. And West Germany during the Cold War. The Russians were very interested in everything that went on in that part of the world. Likewise, John the Baptist had been arrested because they thought he and his followers were a threat to Roman rule, and John was singing from a different book and spoke with a boldness that brought concern to those that ruled for Rome.

Before our text, we find in the previous verses, 32-34 that after the sun had gone down, because it was the Sabbath that the whole town was at the door of Simon and Andrew's home looking for healing from health problems to demon possession. No wonder the Lord got up early in the morning and headed to the wilderness for some solace and prayer time with the Father.

Jesus was certainly aware, with the arrest of John the Baptist that anyone creating this kind of buzz was going to be a target for the Roman rulers in this area. Simon and the others were not concerned about that, but seemed more interested in being a part of this new found popularity; they were certainly looked upon in a different way, being part of the entourage of Christ. Knowing all of this, helps us understand what happens in our text.

Maybe the disciples had made promises back in Capernaum, and wanted Jesus to go back and do their bidding. Whatever the reason they were upset when they did not know where Jesus could be found. I love the statement “Everyone is searching for you”; if only we could say that today with conviction. Indeed today there are many that are searching for something that will take away the illnesses, and other health problems. There are also those that are looking for something to fill a void in there own lives and heart. People today are still looking for something to believe in, something or someone that can provide comfort and peace of mind.

As much as Jesus may have wanted to go back and help those that were searching for him in Capernaum, He knew that was not His overall mission, but He remained focused, as I am sure the Father had encouraged Him to do, in their prayer time together. Which is why we need to seek God, the Father, out in our prayer time and make sure we are focused on His mission not ours or that of well meaning friends and neighbors and maybe even family. Jesus said let's move on to other towns. The Good News of Jesus needs to go out to the highways and byways; it is not for just the home town folks.

As Jesus travels about all of Galilee He encounters a man with leprosy, and interesting conversation takes place. The leper says, “If you choose you can make me clean.” Jesus says, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Do you think Jesus could have said: “not now I am too busy”? Or" you do not have enough faith”, or “you do not have the right doctrine”? I think it is important to notice that Jesus asked him to go and get checked out by the priest, the leper needed the priest to inspect him and proclaim him clean, so he could rejoin society. He could go from an outcast to a working member of the community. I think Jesus was struck by the severity of the law as much as the disease, being a leper was a lonesome existence. Although Jesus had told the leper to say nothing, except to the priest, the exuberance of the leper being healed made it impossible for Jesus to continue to minister in that area. Fear of the Romans and knowing His mission was not completed pushed Jesus’ ministry to the wilderness, He could no longer minister in the cities.

In our world today we deal with those that have HIV/AIDS in much that same way as they dealt with Lepers in Jesus day.I remember when Magic Johnson of the LA Lakers announced he had the HIV/AID virus. The rules for basketball changed because of the fear and stigma of the disease. Jesus ministry to the Leper was an example for all of us to follow, He was willing to touch and to heal, we may not be able to heal, but we can certainly help them be a part of society.

How should the Church respond to those that have the HIV/AID virus? What precautions has your church taken to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu? When you found Jesus did you want everybody to find Jesus? Do you think Jesus is worth searching for? Why?

Nehemiah: A Motivator for the People Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending Sept. 27, 2009

Purpose: To see that the devotion and commitment of Nehemiah helped him rally the people to work for the common good.

Scripture Text: Nehemiah 2:5, 11-20 (NRSV)

Nehemiah 2:5, 11-20
(5)Then I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.’

(11)So I came to Jerusalem and was there for three days. (12)Then I got up during the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took was the animal I rode. (13)I went out by night by the Valley Gate past the Dragon’s Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. (14)Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool; but there was no place for the animal I was riding to continue. (15)So I went up by way of the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. (16)The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest that were to do the work.

(17)Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burnt. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace.’ (18)I told them that the hand of my God had been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, ‘Let us start building!’ So they committed themselves to the common good. (19)But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they mocked and ridiculed us, saying, ‘What is this that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?’ (20)Then I replied to them, ‘The God of heaven is the one who will give us success, and we his servants are going to start building; but you have no share or claim or historic right in Jerusalem.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

Have you ever seen someone that has a unique ability to lead? Have you ever analyzed that person’s character and charisma to see what makes them a special leader? Nehemiah was such a leader, and we want to look at how he became such a good leader.

The first thing you should know is that Nehemiah was a “layman”; that means he did not hold any office within the religious order. Second he had earned the responsibility as Cup-bearer to the King. Third, he was a listener, if you go back to Chapter 1:1-5 it says: "The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, (2) one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. (3)They replied, ‘The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.’(4)When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

We can also see from this passage that he was willing to humble himself, and willing to fast and to pray concerning the situation, all of the things we are instructed to do when seeking God's face. (See ll Chronicles 2:14).

Notice that when Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, he does not come in with a brash, my way or the highway, attitude, but rather he listens and watches for three days. When he goes to inspect the walls of the city, it is not with a lot of fanfare but chooses to go at night, in the quiet time. He had a quiet assurance about his mission; he had both God and the King of Persia on his side. He was not frightened by those that wanted to distract him from his mission. It is important that those that lead us are confident and have a clear vision, and are not easily swayed by outside influence. Nehemiah's other quality was his ability to convince the residents that what he purposed to do was for the common good of everyone. Sometimes we are hesitant to accept new ideas even when we know it would be better for the community.

Just a short history lesson; In the Hebrew writings the Book of Ezra and Nehemiah are one book, and they are relatively close in time to the Book of Esther. Esther became Queen in 476 BC, Ezra went to Jerusalem in 458 BC, and Nehemiah went in 445 BC, so all three books cover a 31 year period. If you notice in verse 6 of Chapter 2 there is the quote (6) the king said to me (the queen also was sitting beside him), ‘How long will you be gone, and when will you return? There is no other explanation for this statement except that it was Queen Esther. Some have said that the Kings names do not match, but you should know that they are not names but titles. Artaxerxes is a title that simply means "The Great King"; Ahasuerus is a title meaning "The Venerable Father."

Nehemiah was a great “laymen” and he was a great leader, more importantly he was a great believer in God's promise to His people. He realized that it was important for God's overall mission that Jerusalem be restored, he became aware of the need and God called him to go and fix the problem. There maybe problems that need fixed in your community or church, God may be calling you to be a leader like Nehemiah. “See the need and do the deed.” Listen, fast, pray, and learn to lead, allowing God to work through you. The great promise we have is “God is with us” Emmanuel.

Ezra: A Priest for the People Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending Sept. 20, 2009

Purpose: To acknowledge that God may require us to make radical changes in our lives when we have strayed from God’s ways.

Scripture Text: Ezra 9:5-11, 15 (NRSV)

Ezra 9:5-11, 15
(5)At the evening sacrifice I got up from my fasting, with my garments and my mantle torn, and fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the Lord my God, (6) and said, ‘O my God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. (7) From the days of our ancestors to this day we have been deep in guilt, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as is now the case. (8) But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the Lord our God, who has left us a remnant, and given us a stake in his holy place, in order that he may brighten our eyes and grant us a little sustenance in our slavery. (9) For we are slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to give us new life to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and Jerusalem.

(10) ‘And now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, (11) which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, “The land that you are entering to possess is a land unclean with the pollutions of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations. They have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. (15) O Lord, God of Israel, you are just, but we have escaped as a remnant, as is now the case. Here we are before you in our guilt, though no one can face you because of this.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

It is often hard for us to admit we might be both sinners and in need of God’s help; Ezra asked for personal forgiveness as well as forgiveness for the entire remnant of Jews that still existed in his world.

I think there is merit in talking about the circumstances that created this revelation for Ezra. He had been worshiping God, and also fasting, it should not surprise us when God speaks to us when we have prepared ourselves to have communion with Him. Ezra did it through the evening sacrifice and fasting. As many of us do it at a time of Holy Communion, we have prepared ourselves by confessing our sins, both individual and corporate, and if we add fasting to that experience we too can have that sweet communion with God that Ezra experienced.

Ezra went one step further, he tore his garments as well as his mantle, and fell on his knees, repentant and humbled, knowing he not deserve God’s grace or forgiveness. When was the last time you opened up to God and confessed you had not been an obedient servant, or corporately you had not been an obedient church? When was the last time you humbled yourself enough to apologize, or make amends for wrongs you may have committed? Remember in the story of Zaccheus after Christ forgave his sins he went about and made restitution (sometimes with a severe penalty as required by the law of Moses) for all of the shady deals he had done as a tax collector. And when Christ forgave the women for adultery, He said, “go and sin no more”.

I think one of the things that the purification of the “remnant” achieved is by the time of Christ almost all of the idol worship that had taken place earlier in Israel’s history, with the great kings of Israel up through the captivity, was finally going to be extinguished, and by the time of Christ it was not idol worship that was the problem. Rather it was the adultery of the law, and the corruption of the established leadership of the Jewish religion that Christ attacked. We do not have a lot of instances where idol worship was attacked by Christ, we do have several occasions where the Jewish hierarchy was criticized and condemned by Christ.

It would be hard for us today to condone what Ezra promoted in the three verses left out of our lesson. I would suggest you read verse 12, 13 and 14 and think about what Ezra was asking the remnant to do.

Many bible scholars and historians believe that those three verses are what caused the writing of The Book of Ruth to take place. Although by historical setting the Book of Ruth took place hundreds of years before the Book of Ezra, it is thought the story was added after the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. And was to counteract what Ezra was teaching concerning the disposal and abandonment of those other than Jews, in a marriage or family relationship.

One reason they say that, is because it seems to try and explain the traditions of Ruth and Boaz’s time. (i.e. 4:6-9). The story of Ruth is all about a Moabite widow and a gracious Jew, Boaz, which took her in and produced the linage of not only King David but also of Christ. It presents for us the very essence of God’s grace and redemption.

How do you feel about Ezra’s suggested handling of mixed marriages? Are you more comfortable with the story of Ruth and a mixed marriage? Do you think communal sin needs to be confessed as well as individual sin?

"Gideon: A deliverer for the People" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending September 13, 2009

Purpose: To show that we can serve God even when we do not have all our questions about God's ways answered

Scripture Text: Judges 6:1-3, 7-14 (NRSV)

Judges 6:1-3, 7-14
(1)The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years. (2)The hand of Midian prevailed over Israel; and because of Midian the Israelites provided for themselves hiding-places in the mountains, caves and strongholds. (3)For whenever the Israelites put in seed, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the east would come up against them.

(7) When the Israelites cried to the Lord on account of the Midianites,(8)the Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites; and he said to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt, and brought you out of the house of slavery; (9)and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you, and gave you their land; (10)and I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; you shall not pay reverence to the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.” But you have not given heed to my voice.’

(11) Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites. (12)The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior.’ (13)Gideon answered him, ‘But sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, “Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?” But now the Lord has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian.’ (14)Then the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

There are several reasons why I have always loved the story of Gideon; one is because I am a Gideon. The Gideon’s International is a group of Christian business and professional men that have elected to put bibles where the people are. As a result they have seen more people all over the world come to a relationship with Christ,

The other reason I love the Gideon story is because it gives everyone hope. Gideon was not a great follower of Yahweh, or the Jehovah God. In fact his father worshiped Baal and had even erected an altar to Baal on his farm. Gideon did not have any religious training or upbringing; he was simply tired of hiding and being chased by the Midianites and the Amalekites. Gideon had heard the old stories of how God had brought this group of people out of slavery in Egypt, but now it seemed that God had deserted them. The truth is they had deserted God, and started to worship the Gods of the land that God had given them. There was more instant pleasure in serving the fertility gods of Canaan, than obeying the laws that they had received from God and Moses.

Who are these people that are harassing God's chosen people? The Midianites descended from Abraham and Ketarah's (Sara's handmaiden) son Ishmael, who was the father of Midian, they would be the Arabians of today. The Amakekites descended from Esau, Jacobs’s twin that sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. All three families can trace their heritage back to Abraham.

The key verse from God's point of view is verse 10, the Israelites had not been faithful to God and they preferred to worship the gods of the Amorites. The key verse for Gideon is verse 13, when he speaks to God and shares his concerns, “if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” How many times have you ask that same thing of God? Since up to this point Gideon did not have any relationship with God, this was a genuine question that he thought needed answering. God's response is interesting, “Go and change it, if you don't like it” (my paraphrase). Then God gives Gideon a commission, not the great commission, he saved that for us. But the command is pretty much the same; don't like seeing the poor abused? Do something. Don't like seeing people go hungry? Do something. Don't like your life? Do something. It appears we have the ability, with God's blessing, to change those things that we would like to see changed.

About 100 years ago two Christians end up in the same hotel room, and decide every hotel room should have a bible. They did not whine and complain, instead they did something. Now bibles are in hotel rooms and other places all over the world. The story of Gideon highlights the fact that anyone can respond to God, you don't have to be a great theologian, preacher, missionary or evangelist, just see the need and do the deed.

During the depths of the great depression, Harry Emerson Fosdick, pastor of Riverside Church in Manhattan wrote the words to “God of Grace and God of Glory”

"Joshua: A Leader for the People" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending September 5, 2009

Purpose: To recognize that God's strength and courage are important promises for leaders who have big shoes to fill.

Scripture Text: Joshua 1:1-11, 16-17 (NRSV)

Joshua 1:1-11, 16-17
(1)After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, (2)‘My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. (3)Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. (4)From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. (5)No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. (6)Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. (7)Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. (8)This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. (9)I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

(10) Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, (11)‘Pass through the camp, and command the people: “Prepare your provisions; for in three days you are to cross over the Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess.” ’

(16) They answered Joshua: ‘All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. (17)Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses!

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

How tough is it to follow someone in a leadership role? Comparisons are constantly being made, “we never did it like that before.” are called the seven most deadly words for a church or organization.

For over forty years Moses had been the leader of this congregation of complainers, and disgruntled followers. Because of decisions made by Moses he was denied the opportunity to lead this congregation into the “promised land.” God had a new leader in mind, and God was going to make sure that He gave Joshua every opportunity to succeed, where Moses had in fact, failed.

Joshua was well qualified to assume the role of leader, he, along with Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent out that came back with a positive report, that they could in fact conquer the present inhabitants of “the promised land.”

We first hear of Joshua when Moses chooses him to lead the battle against Amalek at Rephidim (Exodus 17:9), shortly after that he was chosen as one of the tribal leaders sent to spy out the land of Canaan. (Numbers 13:17) His father's name was Nun and he was from the tribe of Ephraim and he was about 80 years old when he was chosen by God and informed by Moses of his new role within the congregation. (Numbers 27:18)

As our text unfolds God reassures Joshua of the support that God is going to give Joshua. In verses 5,6 and 7 God proclaims and then reassures Joshua that God will both guide and protect and fulfill the promise that was made first to Abraham, then Isaac and Jacob and lastly to Moses. The guidance that God gives to Joshua seems rather simple, do not deviate, remember the law, be strong and courageous and “I will be with you wherever you go.”

The scariest moment for Joshua may have been in verse 17 when the leaders report back to Joshua, that they will be as loyal to him as they were to Moses. I am certain Joshua was thinking, “I could do without that kind of loyalty.” This congregation did not have the best record for obedience; they were a constant irritant to Moses as he tried to lead them from Egypt to Canaan.

Joshua was very successful in conquering the land that God had promised, and his statement “but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15) is one of the most powerful statements uttered in the Old Testament. It is that kind of commitment that God expects and wants from all of those that have a leadership role. It remains good advice for all that have a place of responsibility within families, government or churches. Do you welcome change? Or do you resist change?

What qualities do you expect from your leaders today? The hymn writer Katherine von Schlegel says:
"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side,
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In every change God faithful will remain"

"God Call's for Decision"-Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending August 30, 2009

Purpose: To realign our lives with God's purposes by opening ourselves to God's transforming work in us.

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 30:1-10 (NRSV)

Deuteronomy 30:1-10
(1)When all these things have happened to you, the blessings and the curses that I have set before you, if you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, (2)and return to the Lord your God, and you and your children obey him with all your heart and with all your soul, just as I am commanding you today,(3)then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, gathering you again from all the peoples among whom the Lord your God has scattered you. (4)Even if you are exiled to the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you back. (5)The Lord your God will bring you into the land that your ancestors possessed, and you will possess it; he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors.

(6) Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live. (7)The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on the adversaries who took advantage of you. (8)Then you shall again obey the Lord, observing all his commandments that I am commanding you today, (9)and the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, (10)when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

This week's text is a very important text for us to understand and appreciate, even more so if you include the last verse of the previous chapter 29:29, which says “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children for ever, to observe all the words of this law.” There are things we do not know about God, but those things that He has revealed to us belong to us and we are expected to be obedient to what has been revealed.

Our text seems to assume,Israel was going to fail, and it did. It also makes clear that there is a way to overcome that failure and to be restored. I think the latter is still taking place today. The nation of Israel is stronger today than it has ever been, and those that have come back to the land God had promised, have come from every corner of the globe.

Because of the next few verses (6-20) this portion of God's word has been a major influence though out Christianity. The “circumcision of the heart” was Wesley's way of calling for a filling of the “Holy Spirit”, or (a sanctified life) within each of us. When we allow ourselves to have a heart that God has circumcised or removed that which we do not need, then our lives can become the testimony that God had originally planned for His special people; the ones that were called to circumcise their young men as a sign to the world that they belonged to God. Circumcision of the heart is a repeat of last week's lesson on the “Great Commandment,” “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Notice that in verses 7-10, this becomes a commandment, with both a promise and a curse. If the children of Israel remained true to God and kept this commandment they would prosper, and their enemies would be cursed, however they too would face God's curse if they were disobedient to God's commands.

The rest of this chapter addresses another theological question, “The Complaint of Inability.” In church history this teaching is called “antinomianism” (against the law) which says that saving faith is of such a nature as to remove the obligation of obedience to God's law. The reply of Moses leaves no doubt about the matter. Moses said, (v-11) “Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away.” When you include verse 29 from the previous chapter and verse 11 to our printed text, you can realize that some things are kept from us, but following His commandments is not one of them. God has been very clear with us and He expects us to follow His commandments and to allow our heart to be circumcised, and filled with His love and presence, and to remove ourselves from the sin and distractions of this world.

What do I need to remove from my life, to be more fully devoted to His will? Are you willing to accept the transformation God wants to work in you? We can walk closer to God; our goal should be to be more like God and less like our old selves. Which do you choose today, blessing or curse?

God Calls for Obedience- Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending August 23, 2009

Purpose: To respond wholeheartedly to God's covenant love by faithfully obeying God's law and teaching it to others.

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-24 (NRSV)

Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-24
(1)Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the ordinances—that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, (2) so that you and your children and your children’s children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. (3)Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.

(4) Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. (5)You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. (6)Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. (7)Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. (8)Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, (9)and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

(20) When your children ask you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the ordinances that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ (21) Then you shall say to your children, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. (22)The Lord displayed before our eyes great and awesome signs and wonders against Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his household. (23)He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land that he promised on oath to our ancestors. (24)Then the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now the case.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

I would like to begin by talking briefly about the “Purpose” statement. The point that should be made is: (1) The response God desires from us is faithful obedience, and (2) we must pass the Christian way of life on to others.

Our text for this lesson includes what the Jew's call “The Shema”. Shema is the Hebrew word for “hear”, which is the initial word of the commandment found in verses 4 & 5. We have come to know this passage as the “Great Commandment” referred to by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27.

The nation of Israel was called as a nation to a life of total commitment, but, if you study the words “you” and “your” found in the commandment, you will find they are singular, in other words, this commandment was addressed to each member of the community. Each of us is called to respond to God's command. Martin Luther once wrote, “Everyone must do his own believing just as everyone must do his own dying.” The three words at the end “heart”, “soul” and “might” imply a “whole-being” with a total devotion to the Lord. The “love” that God speaks of is not an emotion, but rather an action. In the context of a covenant, love is shown by faithful obedience to God's revealed will.

I think it is worth noting the order of our intentional review and remembrance found in verses 7-9. The first priority is the instruction of our children. Devotion to God begins in the home. Then we are to establish visible reminders, and then to personal responsibility and behavior. The doorpost would represent our home and the gates would represent our work or business life, or where we meet the community.

Verse 20-24 offers a hypothetical question that children will ask, and the proper response that should come from the parents. The liberation of Israel from Egypt was not an end to itself, but rather a means to the achievement of God's plan for the salvation of the nations. John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Without gratitude, a vital relationship with God is reduced to religious obligation, a life lived under those conditions can end in bitterness and cynicism. God wants grateful followers not obligated followers, if we have been transformed by God's kindness, “In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Our responsibility to live grateful lives means we do not live for ourselves, but for others. This community of people that God was trying to teach and train was for the rest of the world to see the one true God and Him alone.

Is your relationship with God rooted in obligation, or does it flow out of gratitude? What sort of person do I need to become in order to live a life of faithful obedience?