Monday, October 3, 2016

Builder of the House Adult Sunday School Lesson


International Sunday School Lesson
For Sunday October 9, 2016

Purpose: To discover the ways we can be part of God’s house, built by Jesus Christ

Bible Lesson: Hebrews 3:1-6

Background Scripture: Matthew 7:19-29

Key Verse: But [Jesus] deserves greater glory than Moses in the same way that the builder of the house deserves more honor than the house itself. (Hebrews 3:3)

Hebrews 3:1-6 (CEB)
(1) Therefore, brothers and sisters who are partners in the heavenly calling, think about Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. (2) Jesus was faithful to the one who appointed him just like Moses was faithful in God’s house. (3) But he deserves greater glory than Moses in the same way that the builder of the house deserves more honor than the house itself. (4) Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. (5) Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant in order to affirm the things that would be spoken later. (6) But Jesus was faithful over God’s house as a Son. We are his house if we hold on to the confidence and the pride that our hope gives us.

Matthew 7:24-29 (CEB)
(24) “Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock. (25) The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn’t fall because it was firmly set on bedrock. (26) But everybody who hears these words of mine and doesn’t put them into practice will be like a fool who built a house on sand. (27) The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It fell and was completely destroyed.” (28) When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching (29) because he was teaching them like someone with authority and not like their legal experts

Some Thoughts by Burgess Walter

As we continue to explore the “Sovereignty of Jesus,” this week we look at how Jesus compares to Moses. Remember last week it was how Jesus compared to the angels.

Our lesson uses two different text to show the comparison of Jesus and Moses. Our first text comes from the Book of Hebrews. Notice that it begins with “therefore.” The rule is first find out what the therefore is there for.  Chapter 2 concludes while making the argument, why Jesus is a better High Priest. Chapter 3 begins with therefore, and continues to make the case that Jesus is a better High Priest and also for the only time in the New Testament is referred to as an Apostle. While we normally do not use the word Apostle to identify Jesus, it is perfectly acceptable to do so, because both the positions of High Priest and Apostle work as those that communicate the message of God. Normally we only use Apostle to identify those original ones who were present during Jesus teachings, namely the Disciples and Paul.

Remember the reason for the writing of Hebrews, many of the Jews in Rome were under great persecution, as well as some Gentiles.  The letter was written as an encouragement. God has sent everyone, not just the Jews, a Priest, Apostle, and Redeemer, in the person of His Son Jesus, the Messiah, promised long ago.

The writer makes the case that Jesus, being the Son of God, has more authority and power than Moses. Moses was an obedient servant, but a Son outranks a servant. While Moses was a primary figure in building the nation of Israel and the Jews, Jesus will expand that to an entire world. It has become more than just a select tribe, God’s house now includes all of those that believe by faith that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Most High God.
Jesus is better than the “house” and “the builder.” Jesus is also part of the creating force, He was from the beginning.

In our passage from Matthew, Jesus concludes his “sermon on the mount” message with these words. Hearing the message of Jesus and doing the message of Jesus are two different things. Those that hear and do, are like those that build on a rock solid foundation. Those that hear and dismiss the teachings, are like those that take the easy way out. They have no hope of surviving the trials and tribulations which come into the lives of everyone, including followers of Jesus.

What kind of a house are you building?  And what kind of a home are you making? There are two hymns that come to mind, “How Firm a Foundation” and “Family of God.”

Both cover our lesson very well, but I will go with “Family of God.”


 

No comments: