November 2019 Lessons

November 2019 Lessons

WEEK ONE

There is a difference between spiritual progress and religious hurrah which some people seem not to know. When a church gets swept up in church sponsored youth social activities, conferences, ball games and institutionalism, it would be could to remember the apostle Paul’s statement: “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) –

Adapted from B. C. Goodpasture.

 

WEEK TWO

It is not the mission of the church to furnish amusement for the world or even for its own members. For the church to turn aside from its divine work to furnish amusement and recreation is to pervert its mission. If the church will discharge its duty in preaching the gospel, in edifying its members, and in helping the worthy poor, it will not have desire or the time to amuse and entertain – B. C. Goodpasture

 

WEEK THREE

If what we offer as worship glorifies and honors the true object of our devotion – the Lord, we ought to be satisfied with it and it will not matter whether it impresses others. We must remember the Lords statement: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Let us stop trying to jazz us worship so we can get a buzz from it. It is not about us anyhow.

 

WEEK FOUR

When we honor the Lord in way that we have invented rather than honoring Him in the way that He has prescribed we have succeeded in defeating ourselves. The Jews of Jesus day had a tradition that allowed one to give gifts to the temple rather than helping one’s needy parents. Certainly, there was nothing wrong with giving a gift to the temple, but Jesus condemned it when it resulted in neglecting to honor parents: “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition…making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.” (Mark 7:9-14).