JESUS, REMEMBER ME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGB2E0NzO2A
2 Corinthians 5:14 New King James Version
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
Jesus, your compelling love has brought me to this time and place; thank you.
Colossians 1:3 New King James Version
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Thank you, God, for hearing our prayers.
Colossians 1:4 New King James Version
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
Holy Spirit, thank you for the faith of the saints that surround me.
Colossians 1:5 New King James Version
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
Thank you, Jesus, for the hope you have placed in my heart.
Colossians 1:6 New King James Version
6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
Father, please bring forth the fruit of your Spirit in my life; thank you.
A Word Received: Live in the hope of the resurrection.
Albany Intercessor
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Friday, May 09, 2025
2025 05 09
More Like You - Scott Wesley Brown (Lyric)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcZx59wpbnw
Philippians 1:12-14 New King James Version
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Jesus, thank you for the hard times, for they bring forth the fruit of righteousness and the furtherance of the gospel.
Galatians 5:19-21 New King James Version
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Father, I confess to you that I have engaged in the works of the flesh. Have mercy on me and rescue me from them.
Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Holy Spirit, please help me grow the fruit of your Spirit in my life.
A Word Received: Look to me for help when things are dark.
Albany Intercessor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcZx59wpbnw
Philippians 1:12-14 New King James Version
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Jesus, thank you for the hard times, for they bring forth the fruit of righteousness and the furtherance of the gospel.
Galatians 5:19-21 New King James Version
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Father, I confess to you that I have engaged in the works of the flesh. Have mercy on me and rescue me from them.
Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Holy Spirit, please help me grow the fruit of your Spirit in my life.
A Word Received: Look to me for help when things are dark.
Albany Intercessor
Thursday, May 08, 2025
2025 05 08
Philippians 1:1-10 New King James Version
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
Jesus, thank you for the fellowship you give us week by week.
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Jesus, I am confident that you can complete your work in me.
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Father, thank you for your grace which brings us new life.
8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
Father, I long for the affection you bestow on your saints.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
Holy Spirit, please help our love for one another grow week by week.
10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
Holy Spirit, please help us approve all that is good and shun the bad. Thank you.
A Word Received: Open your heart to my word and Spirit.
Albany Intercessor
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
Jesus, thank you for the fellowship you give us week by week.
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Jesus, I am confident that you can complete your work in me.
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Father, thank you for your grace which brings us new life.
8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
Father, I long for the affection you bestow on your saints.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
Holy Spirit, please help our love for one another grow week by week.
10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
Holy Spirit, please help us approve all that is good and shun the bad. Thank you.
A Word Received: Open your heart to my word and Spirit.
Albany Intercessor
Wednesday, May 07, 2025
2025 05 07
Canon in D (Pachelbel's Canon) - Cello & Piano [BEST WEDDING VERSION]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptk_1Dc2iPY
Proverbs 7:1-3 New King James Version
1 My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Jesus, please write your words on the tablet of my heart.
Psalm 7:9-10 New King James Version
9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,
But establish the just;
For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
10 My defense is of God,
Who saves the upright in heart.
LORD, you are my defense and my shield; thank you for being who you are.
A Word Received: Be still and know that I Am.
Albany Intercessor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptk_1Dc2iPY
Proverbs 7:1-3 New King James Version
1 My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Jesus, please write your words on the tablet of my heart.
Psalm 7:9-10 New King James Version
9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,
But establish the just;
For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
10 My defense is of God,
Who saves the upright in heart.
LORD, you are my defense and my shield; thank you for being who you are.
A Word Received: Be still and know that I Am.
Albany Intercessor
Tuesday, May 06, 2025
2025 05 06
Proverbs 6:6-9 New King James Version
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
LORD, please help your people recognize the need for real work instead of playing at video games.
Psalm 6:1-3 New King James Version
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
2 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord—how long?
Father, I am growing old; please give me the strength and courage do endure.
Psalm 6:8-10 New King James Version
8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my supplication;
The Lord will receive my prayer.
10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.
Jesus, thank you for hearing me.
A Word Received: Remember me in your days of affliction and know that I Am able to rescue you from sin and death.
Albany Intercessor
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
LORD, please help your people recognize the need for real work instead of playing at video games.
Psalm 6:1-3 New King James Version
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
2 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord—how long?
Father, I am growing old; please give me the strength and courage do endure.
Psalm 6:8-10 New King James Version
8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my supplication;
The Lord will receive my prayer.
10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.
Jesus, thank you for hearing me.
A Word Received: Remember me in your days of affliction and know that I Am able to rescue you from sin and death.
Albany Intercessor
Monday, May 05, 2025
2025 05 05
Proverbs 5:1-2 New King James Version
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
Lend your ear to my understanding,
2 That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge.
Jesus, please help us heed the wisdom of the elders and the faith once for all given to us.
Proverbs 5:3-6 New King James Version
3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey,
And her mouth is smoother than oil;
4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death,
Her steps lay hold of hell.
6 Lest you ponder her path of life—
Her ways are unstable;
You do not know them.
LORD, the "sexual revolution" only produced hurt and folly.
Proverbs 5:7-14 New King James Version
7 Therefore hear me now, my children,
And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove your way far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house,
9 Lest you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
10 Lest aliens be filled with your wealth,
And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
11 And you mourn at last,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
12 And say:
“How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction!
13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!
14 I was on the verge of total ruin,
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
Father, the cost of sin is real; have mercy on those who have gone astray and bring them back to the fold.
Psalm 5:1-3 New King James Version
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
Jesus, please hear my cry and set me free from my sins.
A Word Received: Look to me for help to overcome sin and death.
Albany Intercessor
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
Lend your ear to my understanding,
2 That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge.
Jesus, please help us heed the wisdom of the elders and the faith once for all given to us.
Proverbs 5:3-6 New King James Version
3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey,
And her mouth is smoother than oil;
4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death,
Her steps lay hold of hell.
6 Lest you ponder her path of life—
Her ways are unstable;
You do not know them.
LORD, the "sexual revolution" only produced hurt and folly.
Proverbs 5:7-14 New King James Version
7 Therefore hear me now, my children,
And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove your way far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house,
9 Lest you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
10 Lest aliens be filled with your wealth,
And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
11 And you mourn at last,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
12 And say:
“How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction!
13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!
14 I was on the verge of total ruin,
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
Father, the cost of sin is real; have mercy on those who have gone astray and bring them back to the fold.
Psalm 5:1-3 New King James Version
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
Jesus, please hear my cry and set me free from my sins.
A Word Received: Look to me for help to overcome sin and death.
Albany Intercessor
Thursday, May 01, 2025
Monday, November 19, 2007
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 12 December 2, 2007
Full of the Spirit, John the Baptist Prepares us for the Coming of Jesus
Get Ready--Get Ready!!!
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: John 1:1-9, 15-28 and Matthew 3:1-12
Memory Verse: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3) (Pre-K to grade 3)
John's birth and whole life were a calling from God. "He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb"...and would "go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah…and make ready for the Lord a people prepared." An angel had spoken to his father about his son's birth and calling which included the fulfillment of prophecy in Malachi 4:5 "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse." In Matthew 11:14 Jesus said "And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." John also fulfilled Isaiah 40:3. All of God's past dealings with his people were coming to a climax in John and Jesus.
God called John into the wilderness to preach. He was dressed like a prophet of old. He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah given 750 years before: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Word received: You live in a wilderness, it is a wilderness of lies and deceit that your culture is telling. I want you to make a straight path through that wilderness to me. I want you to help make a highway for me.
"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:1-2) A word received: John pointed to my kingdom. You are to do the same. It is not a kingdom of men, it is the kingdom of heaven. John faithfully points to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our job also is to bear witness to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. "For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight."'" (Matthew 3:3) A word received: You in your time and your generation are called to do what John did -- prepare the way for me.
John's message was first of all to "Repent", which means not only to turn away from sin but to return to their God and the covenant Israel had made with God. "Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matthew 3:5-6) A word received: I want my people to come forward in repentance, confessing their sins. You speak of the people of the Hill [Hamilton Hill in Schenectady] confessing their sins; I want my people at Christ Church to do that as well.
NOTE: Another passage about repentance in Isaiah is in 30:15. "In returning and rest you shall be saved in quietness and in trust shall be your strength, and you would not". The context is God talking to his rebellious, stubborn people. "Returning" means return to God but "rest" is interesting. It means to come down, be broken (as a horse is broken). As in (come down off your high horse and be obedient to your master).
Lots of the common people came out to John, confessing their sins but John had a stern message of warning for the religious leaders of his people. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?'" (Matthew 3:7) A word received: Who is speaking plainly to the church leaders in your day about the wrath that is to come? John told the leaders to bear fruit that fits repentance and don't count on saying to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our Father." (Remember the saying, "God has no grandsons!) A word received: What excuses are you giving for the lack of fruit in your life? Look at the fruit of my Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I want these to be evident in your life.
What kind of fruit is "in keeping with repentance"?
Are we ready to hear John's message in our day? It is pretty easy to see the faults and sins of others. What uncomfortable truth might Jesus be saying to us? Pray for ears to hear and a heart to respond to what the Spirit is saying to the churches in our generation! Word received: Are you ready? Are you ready to hear the words of My prophet John? If you are truly ready, then you will act on the words of John when I call you to act.
Now look at John 1:1. Word received: That is My Son Jesus who I am talking about. I speak about him first because he is first. John pointed to Jesus. I want all things and all men to point to Jesus. That is what their testimony should be: to point to Jesus. Read verses 6-9 &15-28. "He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me." Word received: John was willing to be used by Me to point to My Son. Are you willing to be used by Me? Word received: John humbled himself before men. I want you to humble yourselves before men. John answers all the questions about "Who are you?" of the priests and Levites from Jerusalem. He answers NO to all their questions, even the question about Elijah, but Jesus saw it differently (Matthew 11:14) John's answer to "Who are you?" is to quote the verse from Isaiah. (Memory Verse) Look at all the things John has to say about Jesus: vs.15, 27,29 "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world., vs.32 "I saw the Spirit descend on him like a dove and remain on him.", Verse 33, "He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." Word received: It is through My Spirit that John is able to witness about My Son. John was meek in Spirit, but strong in body and soul.
John was under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. Word received: What kind of discipline are you willing to live under? John lived under the discipline of these words: "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:76-79)
Now go back and read the Memory Verse again. Word received: Get ready! Are you prepared? I want to prepare you to meet My Son Jesus. Are you ready?
In times of God's visitation he brings both salvation and judgment. See Matthew 3:12. "His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Word received: Pray for the day of My threshing. Pray that none of the wheat will be lost with the chaff. Pray for My little ones who are being led astray by lies. Pray for My will to be done.
NOTE: later, after John was put in prison by King Herod, he sent word to Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another?" We don't know exactly what John expected, but he was beginning to doubt. Jesus sent word through John's disciples about all the signs and wonders he was doing that the prophets spoke about. (Luke 7: 18-23) "Go tell John what you have seen and heard." Part of the problem was that John was sitting alone in prison, isolated from what was going on. We need to note this. When we isolate ourselves from the body of believers we are much more vulnerable to doubt. We need the body of believers and we need to do what John did--take his doubts to Jesus.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 12
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones
1.God's WORD, the Bible, often tells about people and events that will come in the future. Those who do this are called prophets. Isaiah and other prophets told about Jesus and John the Baptist hundreds of years before they came.
2. John pointed to God's promised Messiah, Jesus. God wants us to point to Jesus and help make a way for people to come to know him. One way we can help make a way for Jesus is to follow him ourselves and to point to him.
3. John told people to get ready for Jesus and his kingdom. God wants us to get ready to receive and celebrate Jesus' coming the first time as a baby at Christmas and to receive him NOW as our King and Savior. (We call this time of preparation ADVENT which means "coming". What are you doing to get ready?)
4. John talked about repenting and being baptized. What does repent mean? If you are going down the wrong path in the woods, repent would mean going back (returning) to where the path divided and going the other way.
(For people who have not received Jesus in their hearts, it means asking Jesus into their hearts and going in his direction instead of their own way. Baptism is to seal that choice.
For people who have received Jesus it means to daily compare the way we have acted and thought with what Jesus tells us to do and think. If we have failed (sinned) we need to daily repent, tell Jesus we are sorry, ask his forgiveness, ask him for his Holy Spirit to help us choose his way the next time. The sooner we repent, the sooner we will get back on the right path.)
Get Ready--Get Ready!!!
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: John 1:1-9, 15-28 and Matthew 3:1-12
Memory Verse: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3) (Pre-K to grade 3)
John's birth and whole life were a calling from God. "He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb"...and would "go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah…and make ready for the Lord a people prepared." An angel had spoken to his father about his son's birth and calling which included the fulfillment of prophecy in Malachi 4:5 "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse." In Matthew 11:14 Jesus said "And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." John also fulfilled Isaiah 40:3. All of God's past dealings with his people were coming to a climax in John and Jesus.
God called John into the wilderness to preach. He was dressed like a prophet of old. He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah given 750 years before: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Word received: You live in a wilderness, it is a wilderness of lies and deceit that your culture is telling. I want you to make a straight path through that wilderness to me. I want you to help make a highway for me.
"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:1-2) A word received: John pointed to my kingdom. You are to do the same. It is not a kingdom of men, it is the kingdom of heaven. John faithfully points to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our job also is to bear witness to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. "For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight."'" (Matthew 3:3) A word received: You in your time and your generation are called to do what John did -- prepare the way for me.
John's message was first of all to "Repent", which means not only to turn away from sin but to return to their God and the covenant Israel had made with God. "Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matthew 3:5-6) A word received: I want my people to come forward in repentance, confessing their sins. You speak of the people of the Hill [Hamilton Hill in Schenectady] confessing their sins; I want my people at Christ Church to do that as well.
NOTE: Another passage about repentance in Isaiah is in 30:15. "In returning and rest you shall be saved in quietness and in trust shall be your strength, and you would not". The context is God talking to his rebellious, stubborn people. "Returning" means return to God but "rest" is interesting. It means to come down, be broken (as a horse is broken). As in (come down off your high horse and be obedient to your master).
Lots of the common people came out to John, confessing their sins but John had a stern message of warning for the religious leaders of his people. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?'" (Matthew 3:7) A word received: Who is speaking plainly to the church leaders in your day about the wrath that is to come? John told the leaders to bear fruit that fits repentance and don't count on saying to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our Father." (Remember the saying, "God has no grandsons!) A word received: What excuses are you giving for the lack of fruit in your life? Look at the fruit of my Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I want these to be evident in your life.
What kind of fruit is "in keeping with repentance"?
Are we ready to hear John's message in our day? It is pretty easy to see the faults and sins of others. What uncomfortable truth might Jesus be saying to us? Pray for ears to hear and a heart to respond to what the Spirit is saying to the churches in our generation! Word received: Are you ready? Are you ready to hear the words of My prophet John? If you are truly ready, then you will act on the words of John when I call you to act.
Now look at John 1:1. Word received: That is My Son Jesus who I am talking about. I speak about him first because he is first. John pointed to Jesus. I want all things and all men to point to Jesus. That is what their testimony should be: to point to Jesus. Read verses 6-9 &15-28. "He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me." Word received: John was willing to be used by Me to point to My Son. Are you willing to be used by Me? Word received: John humbled himself before men. I want you to humble yourselves before men. John answers all the questions about "Who are you?" of the priests and Levites from Jerusalem. He answers NO to all their questions, even the question about Elijah, but Jesus saw it differently (Matthew 11:14) John's answer to "Who are you?" is to quote the verse from Isaiah. (Memory Verse) Look at all the things John has to say about Jesus: vs.15, 27,29 "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world., vs.32 "I saw the Spirit descend on him like a dove and remain on him.", Verse 33, "He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." Word received: It is through My Spirit that John is able to witness about My Son. John was meek in Spirit, but strong in body and soul.
John was under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. Word received: What kind of discipline are you willing to live under? John lived under the discipline of these words: "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:76-79)
Now go back and read the Memory Verse again. Word received: Get ready! Are you prepared? I want to prepare you to meet My Son Jesus. Are you ready?
In times of God's visitation he brings both salvation and judgment. See Matthew 3:12. "His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Word received: Pray for the day of My threshing. Pray that none of the wheat will be lost with the chaff. Pray for My little ones who are being led astray by lies. Pray for My will to be done.
NOTE: later, after John was put in prison by King Herod, he sent word to Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another?" We don't know exactly what John expected, but he was beginning to doubt. Jesus sent word through John's disciples about all the signs and wonders he was doing that the prophets spoke about. (Luke 7: 18-23) "Go tell John what you have seen and heard." Part of the problem was that John was sitting alone in prison, isolated from what was going on. We need to note this. When we isolate ourselves from the body of believers we are much more vulnerable to doubt. We need the body of believers and we need to do what John did--take his doubts to Jesus.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 12
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones
1.God's WORD, the Bible, often tells about people and events that will come in the future. Those who do this are called prophets. Isaiah and other prophets told about Jesus and John the Baptist hundreds of years before they came.
2. John pointed to God's promised Messiah, Jesus. God wants us to point to Jesus and help make a way for people to come to know him. One way we can help make a way for Jesus is to follow him ourselves and to point to him.
3. John told people to get ready for Jesus and his kingdom. God wants us to get ready to receive and celebrate Jesus' coming the first time as a baby at Christmas and to receive him NOW as our King and Savior. (We call this time of preparation ADVENT which means "coming". What are you doing to get ready?)
4. John talked about repenting and being baptized. What does repent mean? If you are going down the wrong path in the woods, repent would mean going back (returning) to where the path divided and going the other way.
(For people who have not received Jesus in their hearts, it means asking Jesus into their hearts and going in his direction instead of their own way. Baptism is to seal that choice.
For people who have received Jesus it means to daily compare the way we have acted and thought with what Jesus tells us to do and think. If we have failed (sinned) we need to daily repent, tell Jesus we are sorry, ask his forgiveness, ask him for his Holy Spirit to help us choose his way the next time. The sooner we repent, the sooner we will get back on the right path.)
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A Sunday School lesson by Jean posted on
https://christchurchsundayschool.blogspot.com
Monday, December 3, 2007
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 13 December 9, 2007
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 13 December 9, 2007
Joseph Listens to the Holy Spirit
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; Isaiah 7:14
Optional: Matthew 1:1; 1:15-16
Memory Verse: "…an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'" Matthew 1:20b-21 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Start with Matthew 1:18-19. Mary was betrothed to Joseph. That was legally binding and could only be broken by divorce even though they were not yet living together. The man used this time to prepare a place for his wife and then came with great ceremony to bring her to his house for a wedding feast. Mary was a virgin but not an "unwed mother". In that society young women were expected to be virgins until their husbands brought them home. Word received: Joseph was indeed a righteous man. This is why I chose him to be an earthly father to My Son. Joseph was not only righteous, he was kind and wanted to protect Mary but he planned to divorce her quietly--until God intervened.
As Joseph was deciding what to do God spoke to him by an angel in a dream. Look at the Memory Verse. "…an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'"
Word received: I want My people to listen to Me, to harken to Me as Joseph did.
Word received: I want My people to let Me come into the center of their marriage decisions and of their marriages.
Word received: I took care of Joseph and Mary and I took care of Jesus. I will take care of you as well if you will receive Me into your hearts.
Word received: I want you to have a heart for My word. Joseph received My word. Listen, listen, My people, I AM speaking to you--who is listening? Pray for listening ears and listening hearts. Are we listening and obeying as Joseph did?
Word received: Joseph was more than just righteous, he was obedient and faithful to Me. I want you to be as obedient and faithful as Joseph.
Note: Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, pronounced Yish-u-a. It means Yah(weh) saves.
"Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son. And he called his name JESUS". (Matthew 1:24-25) Word received: I want you to be obedient to My word and My Spirit as Joseph was. He believed and he acted.
This birth fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. (I t was a greater fulfillment of a prophecy Isaiah gave for that moment. See Note for other prophecies fulfilled by Jesus birth.) Word received: I want to be Immanuel to you. I want to be with you and in you day by day. I want you to know My presence in your life--actively. I AM Immanuel.
Look back at Matthew 1:18. Word received: My Spirit was there at the beginning with Jesus as he formed in Mary's womb. Just as My Spirit was with Jesus so I also was with each of you. I love you.
Now look at Luke 2:1-7. Look at God's timing and how he arranged the circumstances of Jesus' birth to fulfill prophecy. (In Micah 5:2 it was prophesied that the promised ruler would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David.) That didn't mean it was easy for them. ( The trip was about 80 miles as the crow flies.) Caesar wanted more taxes so Joseph had to go to Bethlehem and he took Mary with him. Notice how Joseph not only obeyed initially but followed through. The date is approximately 6-5 BC. "World" here refers to the Roman Empire. The place was jam-packed so Mary had to give birth in a stable (probably a cave) and laid the baby, the Lamb of God, in a manger. because there "was no room for them in the inn." Is there room in our hearts and lives for Jesus or are we too busy for an unexpected visit? Word received: Look at Joseph and Mary. They both trusted Me when they couldn't understand the earthly event of Jesus' birth. They trusted Me with everything they were and had. I want you to trust Me like that too. Notice that they were consistent as well as obedient. Prayer: Lord, help me be both obedient and consistent in following you.
The genealogy in Matthew 1 is Joseph's line. He was the legal father. (Probably Mary was also in the same lineage.) Luke has a somewhat different list. Princess Diana could trace her connections to royalty by 8 different lines! The Matthew list emphasizes that Jesus was of King David's line and also a descendent of Abraham (and Isaac and Jacob and Judah). Luke traces the family line back to Adam to show that Jesus was a savior of the Gentiles too.
Now look at the names that are given to Jesus in this lesson. Jesus (Yishua), Emmanuel, of the lineage of King David, and in Luke 2:11, Savior, Messiah(Christ) and LORD.
NOTE: Some other prophecies about Jesus and his birth.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 13
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1.Joseph trusted and believed God when He told Joseph that Mary's baby was from the Holy Spirit. He obeyed God at once.
2.God wants us to trust and believe Him when He tells us the truth and the wants us to act on it.
3.God wants to be in every part of our lives, especially the day to day things. He wants us to LISTEN to Him and receive Him into our hearts. He loves you!
4. God wants us to trust Him even when we don't understand what He is doing, like Joseph and Mary did.
Some prophesies about Jesus and his birth
PROPHESY SUBJECT FULLFILMENT
Genesis 3:15 seed of woman will bruise Galatians 4:4
Satan's head
Genesis 12:3 descendent of Abraham to Matthew 1:1
bless all peoples
Genesis 17:19 descendent of Isaac Luke 3:34
Numbers 24:17 a star & scepter out of Jacob Matthew 1:2
Genesis 49:10 scepter in tribe of Judah Luke 3: 33
Isaiah 9:7 heir to David's throne Luke 1:32
Micah 5:2 Bethlehem birthplace Luke 2:4-7
?(Daniel 9:24f time of birth Luke 2:1-2)
Isaiah 7:14 virgin birth Luke i:26-31
Jeremiah 31:15 slaughter of the innocents Matthew 2:16-18
Hosea 11:1 flight to Egypt Matthew 2:14-15
Albany Intercessor
https://christchurchsundayschool.blogspot.com
Monday, December 3, 2007
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 13 December 9, 2007
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 13 December 9, 2007
Joseph Listens to the Holy Spirit
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; Isaiah 7:14
Optional: Matthew 1:1; 1:15-16
Memory Verse: "…an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'" Matthew 1:20b-21 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Start with Matthew 1:18-19. Mary was betrothed to Joseph. That was legally binding and could only be broken by divorce even though they were not yet living together. The man used this time to prepare a place for his wife and then came with great ceremony to bring her to his house for a wedding feast. Mary was a virgin but not an "unwed mother". In that society young women were expected to be virgins until their husbands brought them home. Word received: Joseph was indeed a righteous man. This is why I chose him to be an earthly father to My Son. Joseph was not only righteous, he was kind and wanted to protect Mary but he planned to divorce her quietly--until God intervened.
As Joseph was deciding what to do God spoke to him by an angel in a dream. Look at the Memory Verse. "…an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'"
Word received: I want My people to listen to Me, to harken to Me as Joseph did.
Word received: I want My people to let Me come into the center of their marriage decisions and of their marriages.
Word received: I took care of Joseph and Mary and I took care of Jesus. I will take care of you as well if you will receive Me into your hearts.
Word received: I want you to have a heart for My word. Joseph received My word. Listen, listen, My people, I AM speaking to you--who is listening? Pray for listening ears and listening hearts. Are we listening and obeying as Joseph did?
Word received: Joseph was more than just righteous, he was obedient and faithful to Me. I want you to be as obedient and faithful as Joseph.
Note: Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, pronounced Yish-u-a. It means Yah(weh) saves.
"Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son. And he called his name JESUS". (Matthew 1:24-25) Word received: I want you to be obedient to My word and My Spirit as Joseph was. He believed and he acted.
This birth fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. (I t was a greater fulfillment of a prophecy Isaiah gave for that moment. See Note for other prophecies fulfilled by Jesus birth.) Word received: I want to be Immanuel to you. I want to be with you and in you day by day. I want you to know My presence in your life--actively. I AM Immanuel.
Look back at Matthew 1:18. Word received: My Spirit was there at the beginning with Jesus as he formed in Mary's womb. Just as My Spirit was with Jesus so I also was with each of you. I love you.
Now look at Luke 2:1-7. Look at God's timing and how he arranged the circumstances of Jesus' birth to fulfill prophecy. (In Micah 5:2 it was prophesied that the promised ruler would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David.) That didn't mean it was easy for them. ( The trip was about 80 miles as the crow flies.) Caesar wanted more taxes so Joseph had to go to Bethlehem and he took Mary with him. Notice how Joseph not only obeyed initially but followed through. The date is approximately 6-5 BC. "World" here refers to the Roman Empire. The place was jam-packed so Mary had to give birth in a stable (probably a cave) and laid the baby, the Lamb of God, in a manger. because there "was no room for them in the inn." Is there room in our hearts and lives for Jesus or are we too busy for an unexpected visit? Word received: Look at Joseph and Mary. They both trusted Me when they couldn't understand the earthly event of Jesus' birth. They trusted Me with everything they were and had. I want you to trust Me like that too. Notice that they were consistent as well as obedient. Prayer: Lord, help me be both obedient and consistent in following you.
The genealogy in Matthew 1 is Joseph's line. He was the legal father. (Probably Mary was also in the same lineage.) Luke has a somewhat different list. Princess Diana could trace her connections to royalty by 8 different lines! The Matthew list emphasizes that Jesus was of King David's line and also a descendent of Abraham (and Isaac and Jacob and Judah). Luke traces the family line back to Adam to show that Jesus was a savior of the Gentiles too.
Now look at the names that are given to Jesus in this lesson. Jesus (Yishua), Emmanuel, of the lineage of King David, and in Luke 2:11, Savior, Messiah(Christ) and LORD.
NOTE: Some other prophecies about Jesus and his birth.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 13
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1.Joseph trusted and believed God when He told Joseph that Mary's baby was from the Holy Spirit. He obeyed God at once.
2.God wants us to trust and believe Him when He tells us the truth and the wants us to act on it.
3.God wants to be in every part of our lives, especially the day to day things. He wants us to LISTEN to Him and receive Him into our hearts. He loves you!
4. God wants us to trust Him even when we don't understand what He is doing, like Joseph and Mary did.
Some prophesies about Jesus and his birth
PROPHESY SUBJECT FULLFILMENT
Genesis 3:15 seed of woman will bruise Galatians 4:4
Satan's head
Genesis 12:3 descendent of Abraham to Matthew 1:1
bless all peoples
Genesis 17:19 descendent of Isaac Luke 3:34
Numbers 24:17 a star & scepter out of Jacob Matthew 1:2
Genesis 49:10 scepter in tribe of Judah Luke 3: 33
Isaiah 9:7 heir to David's throne Luke 1:32
Micah 5:2 Bethlehem birthplace Luke 2:4-7
?(Daniel 9:24f time of birth Luke 2:1-2)
Isaiah 7:14 virgin birth Luke i:26-31
Jeremiah 31:15 slaughter of the innocents Matthew 2:16-18
Hosea 11:1 flight to Egypt Matthew 2:14-15
Albany Intercessor
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