Sister Alice Sunday School 3/24/13

Sister Alice Sunday School 3/24/13

Each of us has a mission in life that is bigger than our self.  This physical body is not us, we are the spirit within that Jesus can come and dwell with and use for His honor and glory.

First we want to study of Jesus’ mission.  His mission was to be the savior of the world.  He is our prime example; we can learn from his attitude toward his mission. 

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Are we truly enjoying the life that Christ came to give us?  His mission was to give us abundant life.

Joh 10:36  Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Joh 10:37  If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

Joh 10:38  But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Jesus held the work that God gave Him to do over and above himself.  We can show the work that Jesus has done in our life as a testimony to others.  “If you don’t believe me then look at the work that Christ has done in my life, only He could do this work.”

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

This is my witness; it is why I’m here: to bear witness of the truth.  He really held the purpose of his life and God’s plan above himself.  If we are to make heaven we must hold our mission that God has for us above our self. 

Jesus was hungry and tired at different times, but he did not let that affect his mission.  We need to hold the mission higher than our own body.  Christ definitely held the mission higher than himself and He finished it. 

Let’s look at Christ’s attitude toward distractions.  He didn’t let anything hinder Him.

Luk 9:51  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

We’ve all had the feeling that we were called to do something that may not have been the easiest thing and we steadfastly set our face to do it.

Luk 9:52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

Jesus was courteous he didn’t just say, “Here I am, prepare for me.”  But he sent his disciples ahead.

Luk 9:53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

They didn’t receive him because of an age old argument.  Whatever prejudice against any people or their attitude must be put away if we are to follow our mission.  We must have the right spirit to worship God.

Luk 9:54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

They were ready to be dramatic, to let everyone know that this was the son of God.

Luk 9:55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

This is what had been in these dear brothers’ minds that caused them to say the above:

Luk 9:28  And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

Luk 9:29  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Luk 9:30  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

Luk 9:31  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Luk 9:32  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

Luk 9:33  And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

Luk 9:34  While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Luk 9:35  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Luk 9:36  And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

This time must have been a comfort to Jesus.  It was a strength to Him that they came and told Him that He was about to be lifted up.  Jesus didn’t want a memorial built for His self but held utmost the father’s mission for Him and why He came into the world.

This is probably what John and James were thinking of:  “We have been with Elias; let’s call fire down from Heaven.”  Jesus rebuked them.  This must be our attitude as well if anything interferes with our mission for God.

Luk 9:56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Luk 9:57  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

Luk 9:58  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Jesus said, this is not the only place, let’s go to another village.

Joining a people to be taken care of is not what is to be.  We have to work.  If you are looking for something material-wise or to be taken care of it is not going to happen here.  We have to work.

Luk 9:59  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Luk 9:60  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

We would think that this is a good request, to bury His father, but Jesus said let the dead bury the dead.  Your mission is to be to preach the gospel.  Our mission is by our actions and everything to be a message of the Gospel. 

Christ wouldn’t let anything dissuade Him from His mission.  “Today is the day.  You go preach the Kingdom of God.”

Luk 9:61  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

This man kind of acted like He was going to die or something.  We are not leaving people behind; we are hoping to be a witness to them. 

That family that is close to you can be the strongest distraction.  Christ would have spared him that distraction.  If we begin serving God with our whole heart then that is the best thing that we can do for our family.  We will be a better, father, mother, grandmother, grandfather, son, or daughter if we will serve God.

Brother Bill:  We have to have an attitude to go all the way with God.  No reservations can be had.  Teri read the testimony of a woman that had a life of sin and came to the place where she said “Lord, I just want to be rid of my sin.  I am not hanging onto anything.  I’m not trying to serve you with one hand but holding onto something else with the other.” 

I have to go say good bye, I’m still holding onto something.  If we have reservations then we will not get saved.  We must have the attitude, “Lord you are going to be first place, If my family is not happy with me, you will still be first place.”  No man putting His hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.  If you are looking back then there is still something hanging onto you.

If you are holding a plow and then look back you will plow a crazy row.  If you look at a post on the other side of the field then you can mow a straight line, if not then you will leave a curvy trail.

This is a mission that is bigger than ourselves.

Mat 16:13  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Mat 16:14  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Mat 16:15  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mat 16:20  Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Can you feel the closeness that Peter feels toward Him?  “Blessed are you Peter because you have listened to the Spirit of God.  He has revealed this to you.”  I can just feel an emotional hug.

The worst is that He knows that He isn’t going to suffer from just a mob of people.  No He will suffer these things from those that claim to be the closest to God.  The scribes were supposed to know.  They had studied the old works and all that had been written.  They were supposed to know that Jesus was Christ.

Mat 16:21  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Mat 16:22  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

The thing that is the hardest for us and can be the biggest distraction to us is the one that is the closest to us and really loves us.  Eve drew Adam out of the way.  Job’s wife was a difficult thing for Job.  “Curse God and die.”  We can see how close Peter was to Christ from this.

A relative came to me and said, “I’ve had a good life and it is time for me to die.”  My self wanted to jump in and say, “You could have years left.”  No He really wanted to talk to me and that would not have been a comfort t to Him. 

Christ was sharp with Peter:

Mat 16:23  But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mat 16:27  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Mat 16:28  Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Jesus wanted Peter to be a help to Him and be on the same team as Him.  He wanted him to know that it was His mission.  Even when Christ told Peter that he would deny Him he was gentle with Him.  Here he was sharper with him than then. 

He was trying to tell Peter that His mission was more important than this body or what He would go through.  “The mission to save the world is more important than this body, my feelings, the world or what everyone thinks about me.”  You must come to the place where your mission means the same to you. 

Whosoever will save his life will lose it.

If in any way we’re more concerned about saving this physical life than our mission, then we will lose it.  We must be more sure about our spiritual life than anything else.

The enemy promised Jesus the whole world but what is a man profited if he loses his soul.  Not one thing is worth our soul.

Jesus is the star attraction but it will be wonderful to see the angels. 

 

Next week we will look at how Christ finished his mission and stayed true to the end.  Then we will go to Paul’s mission.