TOPIC: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART I)

BIBLE TEXT: MATT. 5:1-5

MEMORY VERSE:DEUT. 11:18, “Therefore shall ye lay up these

my words in your heart and in your soul,

that they may be as frontlets between your

eyes”.

AIM: THAT WE MAY BE ABIDE IN THE LORD’S

TEACHINGS AND SERMONS

INTRODUCTION:

In today’s lesson, we shall carefully examine the

Lord’s sermon on the Mount and its application to our

faith in Christ. It is often said that the Sermon on the

Mount contains the principles of righteousness which are

meant to guide us in our daily living, therefore, all who

intend to make heaven must come to full knowledge of what

are the content of the Lord’s messages on the Mount and to

abide in them.

MATT. 5:3 BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

The phrase, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” here

simple means that state of “well-being” for those who have

humbly established relationship with God therefore,

dwelling in His love, care and presence. That for us to

receive such state of being, we must spiritually accept

the following conditions:

i) be guided by God’s ways and principles (John 6:35;

10:9; 14:6).

ii) Be guided by the scriptures (Matt. 22:29 John

20:9).

iii) Not being guided by the way of the world (John

15:19; 18:36; II Cor. 10:3).

In other words, the term “poor in the spirit” could simply

be interpreted as a state of being insufficient in the

spirit. Under this condition, the victim needs the guiding

grace of the Holy Spirit.

MATT. 5:4 THEY THAT MORN

We are said to mourn when we come to the level of

being grieved over out weakness in relation to God’s

standard of righteousness. It could also mean to mourn

over every sinful situation which is capable of grieving

our God. This could be put as a sign of sympathy because

of immorality and cruelty being manifested by the world

before the Almighty God (Luke 19:14; Acts 20:19; II Peter

2:9).

However, we could be comforted over our mourning the

moment we obtain our righteousness, peace and joy of God

in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17; Isaiah 32:17; Romans

15:13).

MATT. 5:5 THE MEEK

The “meek” in the Lord are those who are submissive

and humbled in their attitude before man and God. This set

of believers put their entire life trust in God not

minding any prevailing circumstance. The meek often are

more concerned over the affairs of God and His people than

their personal affairs. (Ultimately, the meek shall

inherit the earth not the aggressors of this life (Matt.

5:5; Psalm 37:11).

CONCLUSION

This lesson is meant for us to examine ourselves in

the light of the Word of God. It marks the commencement of

our series of studies in the Sermons delivered by the Lord

in the course of carrying our His mission on earth. As

earlier said in our aim above, the objective in this

teaching is for us to search through our lives and see

whether we are poor in the spirit, mourning or be meek set

of believers in Christ.

TOPIC: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART II)

BIBLE TEXT: MATT. 5:6

MEMORY VERSE: MATT. 6:33, “But seek ye first the Kingdom

of God, and his righteousness; and all

these things shall be added unto you”.

AIM: THAT WE MAY CONDUCT OUR LIVES IN LIVES IN

THE LIGHT OF THE WORD

INTRODUCTION:

In our classes today, we shall examine further the

unique teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ in its second

part. Just as in our study last week, this week we shall

put ourselves on the scale of the Word of God and see

whether we are living according to the Lord’s teachings

and commandments.

MATT. 5:6 THEY WHICH HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS

This verse could be said to be one of the most

fundamental verses of the Sermon on the Mount based on the

followings:

i) Like the following men of God, one of the our basic

requirements should be to thirst for righteousness:

a) Moses (Ex. 33:13, 18);

b) David (Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1-2)

c) Apostle Paul (Phil. 3:10, Romans 6:3-5; 8:17-23)

It is often said that our spiritual condition of

“Christian life” will depend on how we are thirst

for:

i) God’s presence (Deut. 4:29; II Ch. 15:4; Neh.

1:9; Isa. 55:6,7)

ii) The Word of God (Ps. 119; I John 2:28; 3:9;

5:18; Luke 2:19; Psalm 31:3)

iii) The union of Christ (Phil. 3:8-10; Romans

10:3; 1;17; I Tim. 6:12; Heb. 3:1; I Cor. 2:6;

Gal. 5:10).

iv) The fellowship of the Holy Spirit (John

7:37-39; II Cor. 13:14; Romans 16:24; Phil. 2:1)

v) The Lord’s righteousness (Matt. 5:6; Isa. 55:1;

65:13)

vi) The Power of the Lord’s Kingdom (Matt.

6:10; Matt. 26:39; Acts 24:14; Psalm 103:20) and

vii) The return of the Messiah (II Tim. 4:8;

John 1:12; II Tim. 1:12).

ii) It is quiet obvious that our longing and thirsting

for the righteousness of God could be destroyed

because of worldly anxiety, deceitfulness of

wealth, desire for things which could easily lead

to unnecessarily life pleasures and failure to

remain in fellowship with Christ (Matt. 4:19; Luke

8:14; Matt. 13:22; John 15:4).

We die spiritually the moment the thirst for

righteousness is dead in our lives. Based on this

very fact, it is necessary for everyone of us to be

absolutely sensitive to the conviction of the Holy

Spirit on sin (John 16:8-13; Romans 8:5-6).

CONCLUSION

We can conclude today’s lesson with the acceptance of

the fact that this very verse (Matt. 5:6) is the stem of

the message of the Sermon on the Mount through which other

branches derive their meanings. Of course, if we lack the

spirit capable of helping us to be hungered and thirsty

for the righteousness of our God.

TOPIC: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART III)

BIBLE TEXT: MATT. 5:7-9

MEMORY VERSE: II SAM. 22:31, “As for God, His way is

perfect, the word of the Lord is tried: He

is a buckler to all them that trust in

Him”.

AIM: THAT WE TRUST IN THE WORD OF THE LORD.

INTRODUCTION:

Today marks the third week of our lessons on the

wonderful Sermon(s) of the Lord on the Mount which were

meant to reveal the true life an average believer should

lead while running the race set before us.

MATT. 5:7 THE MERCIFUL

We are called the merciful, if we are full of

compassion and pity towards any one who is suffering

either from his since or sorrow. Under this condition, we

tend to bring the sufferer to Christ where solution to

his/her sorrowfulness can be obtained (Matt. 18:23-35;

Luke 10:30-37; Heb. 2:17).

It is basic that in showing mercy to the suffering

ones we too shall be shown mercy.

MATT. 5:8 THE PURE IN HEART

The pure in heart are believers who are fully

delivered from the power of sin and are living now unto

their God. By His (God’s) grace, they can now strike

without deceit to please and glorify their God in every

situation. Like God, they hate evil and love righteousness

(Heb. 1:9). Such people’s hearts, which include their

minds, will and emotions are always in tune with the heart

of the Lord (I Sam. 13:14; Matt. 22:37; I Tim. 1:5)

We can only see God, the moment we are pure in our

hearts. Purity in the heart of a believer will enable

him/her to be God’s child and abides in His (God’s)

presence right now till eternity (Ex. 33:11; Rev. 21:7;

22:4).

MATT. 5:9 THE PEACE MAKERS

We are “peace-makers” the moment we have been

reconciled unto God. This enables us to have peace with

God the Father through the atonement made upon the Calvary

Cross (Romans 5:1; Eph. 2:14-16).

The moment we assume this status, being capable of

making peace, we must then endeavour to bring others to

God, even our worse enemies, through evangelism and

sharing of gifts.

CONCLUSION

This lesson is meant for our self-examination over

the fact that we must be merciful by showing mercy to

others in their sorrowful situation(s). We must possess a

heart capable of being in union with that of God which

hates anything evil and loves righteousness.

TOPIC: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART IV)

BIBLE TEXT: MATT. 5:10-13

MEMORY VERSE: JOHN 15:18, “If the world hate you, ye know

that it hated me before it hated you.”

AIM: THAT WE LEARN HOW TO ENDURE AFFLICTION

INTRODUCTION:

Our lesson today will be centered mostly on

persecutions and on reaction to various temptations the

world will put before us.

MATT. 5:10 THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED

It is certain that anyone who intends to live a life

capable of pleasing God must face one persecution or the

other because of righteousness. We stand to be rejected,

unpopular and criticized, the moment we decide to uphold

God’s standards of truth, justice and purity. In other

words, if we refuse to accept compromise based on the

“life styles” of the present evil society which could even

be amidst lukewarm believers we are destined to face

persecution (Rev. 2; 3:1-4, 14-22).

BASIC FACTS ABOUT PERSECUTION

The following facts should always be considered when

it comes to Biblical persecution:

i) Persecution will always come from the

unbelieving world (Matt. 10:22, 24:9; John 15:19).

ii) Persecution at times could be experienced within

the professing Church members (Acts 20:28-31; II

Cor. 11:3-15; II Tim. 1:15; 3:8-14; 4:16).

iii) When passing through persecution, we should

rejoice over it (Matt. 5:12).

iv) The most persecuted Christians are bound to

receive the highest blessings from God (II Cor.

1:5; II Tim. 2:12; I Pet. 1:7; 4:13).

v) On no account should we compromise with the

world simply because we want to avoid being put to

shame, embarrassed or at loss (Matt. 10:33; Mk.

8:38; Luke 9:26; II Tim. 2:12) and

vi) It is basic that the principles of God’s Heaven

have not changed and will never change. As we

intend to lead an acceptable life before God, we

will surely be persecuted (II Tim. 3:12).

Heavenly rewards and possessions of the Lord’s

Kingdom are meant for persecuted believers.

MATT. 5:13 THE SALT OF THE EARTH

In spite of our persecution from the world, we are

still expected to live as the “salt” of this very earth.

Normally, salt is meant to give flavour and preserve an

item from corruption or decay. Based on this Scripture, we

are the salt of the earth and as such must preserve it so

as to avoid it going bad, even in the midst of

persecutions! If we lost our moral value, we shall be

thrown away together with our families (Rev. 3:15-16;

Deut. 28:13, 43, 48; Judges 2:20-22).

CONCLUSION

This study lesson should encourage us to endure

afflictions of any sort knowing that they are for a moment

(Rev. 2:11,17,26).

TOPIC: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART V)

BIBLE TEXT: MATT. 5:17

MEMORY VERSE: I TIM. 1:8, “But we know that the law is

good, if a man use it lawfully.”

AIM: SO AS TO ENABLE US KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE

WORK OF GRACE.

INTRODUCTION:

In our various classes today, we shall examine some

facts about the law of God. The word “law” came from Greek

and Hebrew words called “nomos” and torah” respectively

and simply means “teaching” or “direction”. The law can be

said to mean the ten (10) commandments or any other law

mentioned in the Old Testament.

MATT. 5:17 ABOLISHING THE LAW

It is quite out of order, if any teacher of the Bible

teaches that the Lord’s coming has automatically put the

law into non-effect. Of course, it is dangerous to stop at

this level too, when talking about the law in Christ’s

era. To us, what the New Testament is referring to here in

the text is that believers in Christ have to fulfill the

Lord’s law demands in the spiritual form unlike the

physical fulfillment of the Mosaic era. In other words,

the Messiah’s intention, according to the sermon on the

mount, is that his followers meet the requirements of the

law fulfillment, moreso in the spirit (Romans 3:31; 8:4).

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE LAW AND THE BELIEVERS

Our relationship to the law of God and its

fulfillment could be summarized as follows:

i) it is basic that we are obliged to obey ethical

and moral principles of the past (Matt. 7:12;

22:36:40; Romans 3:31; Gal. 5:14; Ex. 20:2).

ii) It is obvious that the laws reveal the will and

nature of God for the entire humanity, even

today. However, the fact still remains that they

were applicable directly to the nation of Israel

and could be classified along the following

lines:

a. Sacrificial;

b. Ceremonial; and

c. Social or civil laws

iii) It is basic that these laws are no longer

binding on us though were written for our

admonition towards our spiritual progress (II

Tim. 3:16; Heb. 10:1-4; Lev. 1:2-3; 24:10; Rom.

3:19-22)

iv) We should not accept the laws as a system of

legal commandment capable of helping us to

obtain merit for remission of our sins and

subsequent freedom from eternal condemnation

(Gal. 2:16, 19). The law should rather be seen

as a moral code of the saved, who by obeyed it

portray the life of their Messiah in them

(Romans 6:15-22).

v) As believers, our relation through faith in

Christ automatically qualifies us for the

position of sonship (John 1:12). Based on this

very fact, our obedience toward law is made

possible because our father is the same law-

giver. Of course, the Father-sons-Relationship

would not allow us to be punished by our father,

that is if we wonder not out of faith in Christ

(Gal. 4:6).

vi) Biblically, it is through faith in Christ that

we are given inner compulsion and power to meet

the demands of God’s law (Romans 16:25-26; Heb.

10:16).

vii) It is a basic fact for one to say that our

ability to satisfy God comes only through the

assistance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4-14).

It is only the Holy Spirit that has the power to

help us to crucify the deeds of the flesh and to

be able to fulfill God’s will (Romans 8:13;

Matt. 7:21). We are said to be in conformity

with God’s law, if we show evidence of inner

transformation of our hearts and spirit (Matt.

5:21-28).

viii) As People freed from power of sin, we are now

subject only to Christ’s law through faith

(Romans 6:18-22) and it is also basic that by

practicing faith in obedient entire law and its

requirements (Gal. 6:2; Romans 7:4; 8:4; Gal.

3:19; 5:16-25).

ix) It is obvious that our Lord Jesus Christ wants

us to do the will of God in order to meet the

Kingdom’s demands (Matt. 7:21-27; 19:16-26;

25:31-46) and

x) It could also be emphatically said that our

salvation is made possible through faith and

repentance in Christ or God’s grace to humanity

(Eph. 2:8; Romans 3:24; 9:30; Deut. 9:5; Titus

3:5; I Cor. 1:29).

CONCLUSION

This lesson is not meant to encourage us to continue

any longer in sin(s) simply because Christ is there. It is

simply rather meant to reveal to us the extent of God’s

love in Christ toward us. If we sin while in Christ, “we

lie to our souls and He (Christ) is not in us (John 8:40-

44).

TOPIC: SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART VI) DATE: ………………………

B/TEXT: MATT. 5:19-22

M/V: JN- 15:10, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall

abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's

commandment, and abide in his love."

AIM: THAT WE MAY WALK IN THE LORD'S COMMANDMENT

INTRODUCTION:

As our studies on the Sermon on the Mount continue, we

shall examine further instructions on the Lord's teachings on

Christians' comportment and edification.

MATT. 5:19, GREAT IN THE LORD'S KINGDOM

This verse in our text is revealing to us that our

individual positions in the forth-coming Kingdom will be

determined by our positiveness towards God's word and how we

teach and practice therein. That the higher our degree of

faithfulness towards the commandments of God, the greater the

degree of our glory in the Kingdom to come (Matt. 5:19; II

Cor. 5:10; Matt, 25:21,23; I Cor. 4:2-5; Lk.12:48; Jn.5:24;

Rm.8:l; Mk. 4:22; Rm.2:16; Matt. 12:36-37; Eph.6:8; I Cor.

4:5; Col. 3:18; 4:1; I Cor. 3:13).

MATT. 5:20, UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Lord here was primarily referring to the

righteousness of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law

which was only external. They were good in reading of the

words, Beaching the law, praising and praying to God, attended

services, but their inner attitudes were poor and not in

conformity with their outward acts. The Lord made this

statements t£ confirm that our righteousness must supersede

what the Pharisees were practising. Unlike the Jewish leaders

(Pharisees), our outward deeds must be in line with the will

of God in faith and love (Mark 7:6-7; Isa. 29:13).

MATT. 5:22 ANGRY...RACA... FOOL

It is quiet obvious in giving interpretations to this

very verse that the Lord was not speaking against our anger at

those who are wicked and unjust (Jn 2:13-17). Simply, He was

against a vindictive (spiteful) anger capable of desiring the

death of the victim. The word "Raca" as applied in this

context could be said to mean an "empty-headed fool". To call

a person an "empty-headed-fool" in the course of anger, could

easily lead to condemnation in Hell Fire (Matt. 5:22; Ecc.7:9;

I Cor. 13:5).

C O N C L U S I O N

This week's study is meant for us to live a comported

type of Christian life. In other words, our righteousness

must be the type which has to portray the image of Christ in

our inner being. Anger should not lead us into exchange of

abusive words!

TOPIC: SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART VII) DATE: …………………………

B/TEXT: MATT. 5:27 – 31

M/V: MATT. 5:28, "but I say unto you, that whosoever

looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery

with her already in his heart."

AIM: THAT WE LEARN ABOUT THE LORD'S TEACHING ON BELIEVERS’

COMPORTMENT

INTRODUCTION

Simon Peter in support to the Master's teachings on

comportment emphasized that some will develop what he

described as the spirit of "immorality" mostly in their

relationship with women. They will develop the attitude of

the Sodomites (Gen.19: 4-11) in spite of the Lord's stern

warnings on such act as adultery (II Pet. 2:10-22; Prov,

26:11). Realising that the condemnation of disobedient

people shall be great, we ought to abide in the principles

of the Lord's special teachings on Christians' decent life-

style popularly known as the "Sermon on the Mount".

MATT. 5:28 LOOKETH ON A WOMAN TO LUST

What the. Lord meant here was not condemnation to a

sudden thought which the devil usually places on the heart of a

man towards a woman or vice versa. It is simply referring to

an Approval of anybody to such evil thought. It can also be

termed as one desiring to fulfil the evil desire, assuming

the opportunity arises. In summary, one's inner desire for

illicit sexual act, if not resisted, but contemplated, is sin

(Prov.6:25; Matt. 5:28; II Pet. 5:14-17).

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OPPOSITE SEX IN CHRISTIANTY

The Lord during His earthly ministry prayed that we love

one another (Jn. 15:12). This was simply referring to the

pure moral love of caring and assisting one another. It is

often observed that some went to the extend of lusting one

against another, which often come as a result of unnecessary

viewing of the body of the opposite sex. We should be

particularly careful to stay clear from all scenes of

immorality such as those usually shown on the screens,

pornographic materials, literature and some Other work of arts

(I Cor 6:15,18; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:5; II Tim.

2:22; Tit. 2:12; Heb. 13:4; Jam. 1:14; I pet. 2:11; II Pet.

3:3; I Jn. 2:16).

To avoid adultery/fornication, both sexes have

responsibility to play. Under this condition a Christian

sister must be careful not to dress in a way that will attract

people's attention to her body, thereby creating room for

sexual lust. This is also applicable to a brother.

Biblically, carelessness in dressing is sin (I Tim. 2:9; Gal.

5:13; Eph. 4:27; Tit. 2:11-12; Matt. 5:28; I Pet. 3:1-3).

C O N C L U S I O N

In these days of sexual permissiveness, we should dress;

modestly seeing the world throwing away purity and godly

restraint (Rom. 6:13-19; 7:5; 12:1-2; II Cor. 5:14-15; I Pet.

2:24).

TOPIC: SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART VIII) DATE: ……………………

B/TEXT: MATT. 5:31

M/V: LK.16:18 "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and

marrieth another, committed adultery: and whosoever, marrieth

her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery."

AIM: THAT WE LEARN HOW TO ABIDE IN GOD'S COMMANDMENTS

INTRODUCTION:

Today's lesson marks another strong theme in our

study-programmes from the Lord's Sermon on the Mount which

has “Christian-comportment" as its main theme.

MATT. 5:31 D I V O R C E

The will of God for our marriages has been for us to be

one throughout our life-time on earth, the moment we are

joint together in marriage (Matt. 19:5-6; Gen. 1:27; 2:24;

Mk.l0:6). Based on this very fact concerning oneness,

whosoever that puts division into any marriage commits sin.

For long time now, Bible scholars have been giving a lot of

interpretations to the case of divorce. Some say, if the

woman commits adultery, she should be put away for that was

what the Messiah meant in the teaching in Matt. 19:9. This

opinion would have been accepted as been interpreted, but two

good questions on this interpretation ought to have been

taken into consideration as well: (i) What should be done, if

the offender happens to be the brother in the said marriage?

(ii) Did Christ really say the woman should be put away

because of fornication or adultery? The third question would

have been: What is adultery? And probably too, what is

fornication? To answer the first question on the offending

brother, we have not seen a clear command from the New

Testament instructing on the type of punishment as to

relation to termination of the marriage, except in the Old

Testament law where the commandment says that the brother and

the woman (the adulteress) should be put to death (Ex. 20:14;

Lev. 18:20; 20:10*; Deut. 5:18). In the New Dispensation,

any unbelieving partner in marriage has right to go, if

he/she so desires, according to Apostle Paul. Well, this

type of divorce is based on belief and not on adultery, per

se, because some may not necessarily believe, but may lead a

sound moral life-style capable of being free from adultery.

Of course, the issue of a departing unbelieving partner is

quiet different from that of adulterous believing wife or

husband completely.

Going further into the issue of fornication and adultery,

it will be ideal thing for us to look into their respective

meanings. According to Chambers 20th Century Dictionary,

fornication and adultery mean "Voluntary sexual intercourse

between the unmarried ...." and "Violation of the marriage-

bed” respectively. With these definitions, we could see that

fornication can only come to play, if two unmarried people

illicitly meet together in sex while adultery comes in when

two married people or one married and the other not come to-

gether for the same purpose.

Now, with the above definitions, the big question

could be centred on: How can a married woman, according to

the interpretation of the Scholars, commit fornication

moreso judging from the fact that the Lord was using the

two words (fornication and adultery) interwovenly. Taking

into cognizance the Lord's meticulousness and precision

when it comes to words selection in communication! If

properly studied, one will surely come to revelational

knowledge of the fact that when it comes to interpretation

of the Holy Bible, dispensation and culture of the primary

audience of the message have to be considered. We should

bear in mind that the Jewish customs and tradition

permitted the idea of having an "espoused wife" as could

be seen in the case of Mary, the Lord's Mother and Joseph

(Lk.2:4-5). Under this condition, of course, the husband

and the wife are .said to be under mutual promise, but not

yet coming together as In the manner of proper marriage.

With this condition, if any of them falls into illicit

sexual relationship, he/she deserves to be put away

because of fornication. Of course, it is fornication in

the sense that proper marriage has not been constituted.

This was exactly what the Lord was referring to while

giving explanations to the Jews on divorce. The next

question now is: Can a properly married woman commit

fornication? The answer is "NO" seeing that the word

(fornication) is only applicable to unmarried people or

the espoused ones. If this fact can be spiritually

reasoned with, we then can accept the fact that a sister

who commits fornication/adultery ought to be punished by

the Church only. This is also applicable to, any brother

who errs in the same direction according to I Cor. 5, so

that such sin will not lead to pollution of the Church of

God and final destruction of the victim in hell. In a

situation in which the erring brother/sister refuses to

repent, the Church has right to expel the same, but not

separating anybody from his/her marital partner (Matt.

19:6). If any brother/sister forces his or her partner

out of marriage, the same should stay without marriage (I

Cor. 7:10-11; Mal.2:14-16; Lk.16:18).

CONCLUSION

It is observed that the issue of divorce has been a

controversial one for long time now. We are appealing to

everybody who will come across this outline to think

spiritually while reading by bearing in mind that the Holy

Bible was written metaphorically, socially and politically

correct therefore, culture and dispensation of the first

audience must be taken into consideration before we will

be able to understand certain things. Let think of a

situation in which they told the Messiah that Moses in the

past commanded them to divorce their erring wives and the

Lord told them that it all came as a result of their type

of people (culture), but not according to God's divine

order. In other words, God is commanding us not to put

away our wives, once we are married (Mal. 2:14-16,

Lk.16:18; I Cor. 7:10-11).

TOPIC: SERMON ON THE MOUNT (IX) DATE: ...............

B/TEXT: MATT. 5:33 - 48

M/V: JN. 15:14, “Ye are my friends, if ye do

whatsoever I command you."

AIM: THAT WE ABIDE IN THE LORD'S COMMANDMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Today's lesson marks the end of our studies on the

Sermon on the Mount in chapter 5 of the Gospel of Saint

Matthew. Just as in the previous related studies, we

shall continue to look into the Lord's wonderful sermons

which were centred on Christian-life-style.

MATT. 5:33 - 37 OATHS

Here (verses 33-37) we could see our Lord Jesus

Christ giving a commandment that all believers should not

swear at-all, no matter the circumstance (Matt. 5:33-37;

Jm. 5:12).

MATT. 5:38 - 42 AN EYE FOR AN EYE

It is noted here that the law of Moses was in support

of vengeance (Ex. 21:23-24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21), but

Christ said-no to vengeance when He was teaching on

believers' relationship with offenders (Lk. 6:29; Rm.

12:16-19; I Pet. 3:8-9). In other words He was demanding

that we (believers) should keep peace with everybody and

be of help to all, our enemies inclusive, if such need

arose (Deut. 15:7-11; Lk. 6:30).

MATT. 5:43 - 48 LOVE FOR OUR ENEMIES

In the Old Testament the people were advised to

severe their relationship with those that hated them. In

our dispensation, Christ is rather teaching us contrary to

the above condition. The Master's basic intention is that

we should endeavour to maintain peace with everybody on

earth without any condition. That by so doing, we tend to

emulate our heavenly Father - God who causes His rains and

sun to fall and shine for believers and unbelievers alike

(Rm. 12:14-21). According to the Sermon, if we love only

those who love us, what is the difference between us and

the unbelievers who practise the same. Therefore, as

God's chosen children, it is mandatory for us to copy our

Father's style of perfect work (Matt. 5:48; Lev. 19:2;

11:44-45; I Pet.1:16).

CONCLUSION

The summary of our lesson today could be hinged on

the fact that the Lord's decision is that none of us

should keep enmity with anybody, not even with the

unbelievers of this world. In other words, we should run

the race with a perfect life-style of bearing no malice

against anybody (Rm. 12:14-21).

TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS DATE: …………………………

B/TEXT: MATT. 25:1-13

M/V: Ps. 78:2 “I will open my mouth in a parable I

will utter dark sayings of old."

AIM: AS TO ENABLE US LEARN THE SECRET THINGS OF GOD

INTRODUCTION

Today marks the genesis of our studies in the Lord's

parables. The Parable of the Ten Virgins is one of the

most popular parables of our Lord Jesus Christ and needed

to be considered and studied by all who believe in the

Lord because of its uniqueness among Biblical parables.

By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit shall grant us the

necessary wisdom which will enable us to interpret the

Parable of the Ten Virgins perfectly in Jesus Name. Amen.

MATT. 25:1 THE TEN VIRGINS

This parables is meant to emphasize on the fact that

we should take daily stock of our spiritual development in

the light of the Lord's Second Coming at an unannounced

and unexpected hour. For us to be received by the coming

Messiah, during His Second Advent, we must persevere in

faith in each of the hours as each day passes on. If we

fail to maintain a sound union with the Master till His

Second Coming, we would be completely excluded from

everlasting Kingdom/Lord's presence This piece of advice

is worthy of consideration by all professing Christians .

MATT. 25:2 THE FOOLISH AND THE WISE VIRGINS

In verse 2, we noticed that five out of the ten

virgins were foolish while five were wise. The

classification" (differentiation) of the virgins was made

possible in the sense that five of them could not

recognise the fact that their expected Lord could come

unexpectedly, seeing that He could not be preceede4 by any

unmistakable and specific observable signs (Matt.

24:36,44; 25:13).

THE OILThe oil in this parable could be interpreted to mean

the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives which could

lead us to true faith, righteousness and devotion. It

helps to put us in a state of preparedness to avoid the

danger of the Lord's coming at unforeseeable time (Lk.

21:19; Matt. 24:36,44). In the real sense of it, waiting

for the Lord's Second Advent without the Holy Spirit's

leading and controlling our daily Christian conducts is as

equal as holding a lamp without fuel or oil in it while

hosting an important personality.

MATT. 25:5-13 THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT

The characteristic of slumbering and sleeping spirit

was common to both the "wise" and the "foolish" virgins

because their Lord tarried according to verse 5. This

could signify a period of weakness in faith, but the

believers with the Holy Spirit will not be completely put

off by the vices of the devil since their Spiritual Lamp

will be burning until the Master comes.

CONCLUSION

This parable is one of the parables every Christians

should constantly look into in order to strike a balance

in his/her spiritual life. One basic fact about the.

parable was that the ten characters in it were virgins, a

sign of perfection from the beginning, but five were

"foolish" while five were "wise". Of course, everybody in

the Church is a believer, but some are foolish believers

who will never accept the leading of the Holy Spirit of

the Lord. Every student in this study should endeavour to

reason with the Spirit of God in being faithful in the

House of God bearing in mind that 50% will be lost while

50% will be gained according to the ratio in this parable.

The basic question now being: Who will be wise and who

will be foolish? Let's think about it now.

TOPIC: THE SOWER AND THE SOILS DATE: ...............

B/TEXT: MK. 4:3-8, 14-20

M/V: MATT. 11:15, "He that hath ears to hear, let him

hear.”

AIM: THAT WE MAY EXAMINE OUR ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE

WORD OF GOD, WHEN PREACHED

INTRODUCTION

This parable is meant to encourage us to accept the

Word of God with carefulness. If we study the lesson

according to the purpose the Lord had in mind before

teaching on the Parable of the sower, it is quite obvious

that our attitudes towards Bible reading, Sunday School

and acceptance of Biblical commands will change for better

(Ps. 119:105).

MK. 4:3 A SOWER (FARMER) WENT OUT TO SOW

The Lord used the parable to demonstrate how the

degree of acceptance of the gospel of light and life will

be in the World. The Parable of the Sower can be viewed

from the following angles:

i) that one's conversion and fruitfulness will depend

on his/her attitude towards the Word of God (Mk

4:14; Jn. 15:1-10);

ii) that the world will accept the Word of God with

mixed reaction. According to verse 5 of our text,

some will hear and will never understand. Some

will believe and be given the salvation of the Lord

quite alright, but will later fall away and some

will accept the truth and abide in it thereby bear

fruit in varying stages (Mk. 4:16-19, 20); and

iii) that the enemies of the Truth are the devil,

worldliness, riches and pleasure of this earth (Mk.

4:15, 19; Matt. 19:23; I Tim. 6:9,10,17; I Jn.

2:15-17).

MK. 4:15-17 TAKEN AWAY THE WORD

The message here in these verses are referring to an

incomplete conversion. This can be possible if one seeks

for forgiveness, but could not experience actual touch of

the Holy Ghost which is the agent of regeneration process.

Of course, these set of believers, though in the Church,

always fail to show genuine commitment in things of God

and perfect separation from the system of the world. They

often want minister to preach according to their personal

belief, not in accordance with the doctrines of the Bible.

This type of salvation could be classified as "half-way

salvation" which could be as a result of:

i) the inability of the Church to communicate

perfectly to the seeker, what the gospel's demands

are (Matt. 22:29; Jn. 20:9);

ii) failure by the Church to deal with the new

convert's demonic case genuinely (Mk.16:15-17;

Matt. 10:18; 12:22-29);

iii) the seeker believing only in mind, but refuses to

give his/her hearts, which is his innermost being

and an individual's personality (Acts 2:37; II Cor.

4:6);

iv) the seeker fails to repent with sincerity by

turning away completely from sin (Matt. 3:2; Acts

8:18-23).

v) the new convert wishes to accept Christ as his/her

Saviour, of course, in time of trouble only and

wouldn't like to accept Him as his/her Lord (Matt.

13 20-21); and

vi) the seeker's faith being based on persuasive human

words instead of the demonstration of God's Power

in the Word of God through the Authority of the

Holy Spirit (I Cor. 2:4-5) .

CONCLUSION

This parable stands as a Scale of the Word of God on

which we have to weigh our salvation. To avoid being

driven away by the Lord, because of lack of genuine

repentance ye must seek genuine repentance (Matt. 25:40-

41; Isa. 66:24i 23; Ps. 6:8).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS

B/TEXT: MARK 12:1-12

M/V: MATT. 21:40, "When the Lord therefore of the

vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those

husbandmen?"

INTRODUCTION

The parable of the tenants depicts the rejection of

the Messiah by the children of Israel during the first

advent. The parable came initially to correct the

situation in which they turned God's Kingdom into their

private possession and became contemptuous in their

attitudes by disobeying God's Words from the mouths of the

former prophets and their refusal to accept the only

begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. This

same attitude could be seen in the churches which have

decided to set aside the doctrines of Christ and the

teachings of the Apostles thereby building an empire based

on human ideologies and church-doctrines.

MARK 12:1 THE TENANTS

Just as stated above, this parable pictures the

rejection of Jesus by the Jews. It was observed that the

people decided to use the glory of God for construction of

"self-glorious-Empire" like any other nation who has no

God, without being obedient to the commandments of God

(Mk. 12:1; Lk. 20:9).

MARK 12:10 THE REJECTED STONE

The rejected stone in this parable is referring to

our Lord Jesus Christ, whom the builders of the Jewish

nation decided to set aside. Being the capstone or the

cornerstone, of God's new plan - the Church, the Lord was

malhandled and killed when the wicked people realise that

He was the real Heir of the Kingdom of God, unlike the

past prophets (Acts 4:11-12; Ps. 118:22).

This very experience could be compared with any

Church which has decided to set the doctrines of the Bible

aside by building a Church doctrines which are not in line

with the original teachings forgetting that the same Word,

now being rejected will certainly judge her at the close

of everything (Jn. 5:22, 30, 9:39; 12:47-48).

CONCLUSION

The main objective of this parable is to help us

check and balance our belief in the Lord. Every Church or

individual who has decided to throw aside the teachings

and commandments of the Lord which could be classified as

His word, will certainly be judged and condemned by the

same word, the Church or the individual' s popularity not

withstanding (Jn. 12: 47-48 ; 14:15)!

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON DATE: .......

B/TEXT: LUKE 15:11-32

M/V: Lk. 15:15, "And he went and joined himself to a

citizen of that country; and he sent him into

his fields to feed swine."

AIM: THAT WE BACKSLIDE NOT

INTRODUCTION

This parable expresses the main reason for the Lord's

mission on earth. This is what we can say to be Saint

lake's main theme: "That Son of Man came to seek and save

what was lost." The parable of the prodigal son describes

God's to save humanity which was lost. It is obvious that

seeking all lost sinners to bring all to redemption rings

utmost importance in the Heart of God (Lk. 15:4,8,20,24;

Ps. 119:176; Jere. 31:10; Eze. 34:11-16; Lk. 5:32; 19:10).

LUKE 15:13 SET OFF FOR A FAR COUNTRY

This verse (13) of our text indicates that a life of sin

and selfishness, in the right sense of it, means a

separation from the care, authority and fellowship of God.

Every backslider is like the prodigal son who because of

the pleasure of sin wasted the blessed wealth of the

father which could be classified as physical, intellectual

and spiritual gifts given by God. He ended up being

disillusioned (downgraded) and sorrowful. He was ignorant

of the fact that true and real life could only be found,

if only he could maintain a sound relationship with his

father. Of course, this is a common practice with most Of

us who, think that we can succeed in this life without God

channelling our programme of progress. We go about

counting on personal abilities and efforts!

LUKE 15:17 HE CAME TO HIS SENSES

Coming back to his senses means that before a

backslider pan come back to God, he must first of all

realise the state of life he/she is. That is the state of

slavery to sin (Lk. 15:14-17). Understanding his

condition, the backslider humbly returns to God through

confession and acceptance of the will of the Father who is

ever ready to forgive. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the

only force that can bring back a backslider to the state

of realisation (Lk. 15:17-19; Jn. 16:7-11; 14:16,26).

THE ATTITUDE OF THE FATHER OF THE PRODIGAL SON

The description of the attitude of the Father of the

prodigal son presents the following Biblical facts:

i) that the Lord's compassionate mind was extended to

the lost man because of man's sorrowful condition

(II Sam. 24:14; Isa. 63:9; Matt. 9:13; Rm.11:23-

29; Tit. 3:5; Jm. 5:11);

ii) the love of God towards us is so great that He

never ceases to grieve and long for our return (II

Pet. 3:9; Hab. 2:3; I Tim. 2:4; Rev. 2:21);

iii) when we sincerely return to God after realising

our state of backsliding, God is always eager to

accept us back with compassion based on His

endless love (Jn. 1:12; 3:16); and

iv) that God's joy over a return of a sinful son can

never be estimated (Lk. 15:6-7, 10, 22-24).

CONCLUSION

This lesson is purely for us to see how compassionate our

God is and/ to ask a backsliding brother/sister to come

back to the fold £or our Father (God) is ever ready to

receive such a one. It is worth noting that a backslider

in this context does not necessarily refer to anyone who

has decided to stay away from the fellowship alone, but if

simply put, it includes everyone whose union with Christ

has been cut. In other words, every sinning believer,

needs to stop doing so and return in the heart to God.

May God bless us as we comply in Jesus Name. Amen.

TOPIC: THE PARABLES OF THE TALENTS DATE:............

B/TEXT: MATT. 25; 14-30

M/V: LK. 19:13, "And he called his ten servants, and

delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them,

Occupy till I come."

AIM: THAT WE BURRY NOT OUR TALENTS

INTRODUCTION:

The Lord used this parable to teach us that our

positions, places and services in heaven will depend on

the type of services we are rendering here for the Lord

in His Church. Everybody in the Lord has one talent or

the other. The Lord wants us to be occupied with the

talents He has given to us. The Saviour will never be

pleased with us, if we refuse to utilise the talents He

has given to us, no matter how small is such a talent!

MATT. 25:15 THE TALENTS

The talents here are simply referring to our

abilities, time, resources and opportunity to serve our

God. The Lord intended, while teaching, that everybody in

the House of God should be useful by utilising his/her

talent in the Lord. In other words, it means that our

position and service in the forth-coming Kingdom will

depend on how faithful we are here now (Matt. 25:29). It

is basic that our time, resources, abilities and

opportunities are sort of talents given to us by God which

we must utilise for the benefit of the Lord's household

(Jere. 48:10; Jn. 9:4; Acts 13:2; I Cor., 3:9).

MATT. 25:29-30 EVERYONE THAT HATH

The Lord was demonstrating in this verse the

important principle concerning our state and reward in the

Kingdom. That whatsoever we possess here now will

determine our possessions in the Kingdom of God. That is

to say, our positions and inheritance in heaven will

depend on the proportion of our individual commitment in

the House of God here on earth. Therefore, we should

endeavour to serve in the Lord's vineyard faithfully by

serving our fellow human Beings with humility (Phil. 2:3;

Matt.25:19).

CONCLUSION

The parable of the talents is demanding us to be

useful in the House of God in one way or the other. Of

course, everybody is called to do something, but everybody

was not called to everything. Please, it is time for us

to check individually, the areas we could be useful in the

Vineyard of our God. The field is certainly wide enough

to accommodate every-body's service, therefore, no man

should be idle (Lk.19: 13)!

TOPIC: PARABLE OF THE HIDEN TREASURE & PEARL

B/TEXT: MATT. 13:44-46

M/V: ISA. 55:1, "Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye

to the waters, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and

milk without money and without price."

AIM: THAT WE MAY ASSESS AND VALUE THE KINGDOM OF GOD

INTRODUCTION

The treasure in this parable is simply referring to

the Kingdom of God and its value. It is calculatively

based on the fact that anyone who has seen the work of the

Cross should endeavour to labour for it by accepting the

"yoke" of our Lord Jesus Christ upon him/her.

MATT. 13:44 KINGDOM...TREASURE

The parable teaches us, as briefly stated above, the

importance of the Kingdom of Heaven and the reason why we

should all look for it, not minding the cost. However,

two basic Biblical facts could be derived from the parable

of the Hidden Treasure:

i) the Kingdom of the Lord is a priceless treasure

that must be desired above all things in life

(Heb. 11:16; II Tim 4:l8) and

ii) the Kingdom should be acquired by giving up

everything that could prevent one from entering

into it. The term "selling all" in this text

simply means one transferring one's whole heart

from any other interest to the only supreme

interest, of Christ (Rm. 12:1; Eph. 4:1).

CONCLUSION

The parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl is

teaching us some great things about the value of the

forthcoming Heaven of the Lord's saints which no human

price could pay for except the Lord’s precious blood. As

possessors of this precious gift of God, everyone of us

should be careful over the way we prefer the things of

this present life instead of the deeper things of the

blessed Kingdom that is to come. Bearing in mind that

whatsoever we are seeing now is of a temporary duration.

Of course, bearing in mind also that God will soon destroy

the entire present system for replacement of some better

(II Pet. 2:7-12; 3:4-18; Isa. 34:4,7; Rev, 6: 13-14).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE NEW GARMENT/WINE-SKIN

B/TEXT: MATT. 9:16 - 17

M/V: II Cor. 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in

Christ, he is a new creature: old things are

passed away; behold, all things are become new."

AIM: THAT WE PART OUR WAY FROM THE OLD LIFE

INTRODUCTION

This parable marks continuation in our studies in the

Lord's teachings on parables. As the topic indicated

above, today, we shall examine the meaning of the parable

of the "new wine/garment" which we believe stands for the

old and the new methods of life.

MATT. 9:16 THE NEW AND OLD GARMENT

Based on God divine creative act, anyone who accepts

the Lord as his/her Lord and personal Saviour departs from

old style of life into a new one. Under this condition,

the recipient of the new style of life continues in it and

stands to fail, the moment he/she mixes the old system

with the new one. Of course, the new life-pattern is

God's total new way of life', for His children, usually

ruled by the Spirit of God (Rm. 8:14; Gal. 5:25; Eph.

2:10). As a result of the new birth in Christ, the

believer concern becomes the image or representative of

God on earth (II Cor. 4:16; I Cor. 15:49; Eph. 4:24;

Col.3:10).

MATT. 9:17 THE NEW & THE OLD WINESKIN

This verse (17) has a lot of interpretations by many

theologians. The most popular view says that the "new

wine" represents pure fresh grape juice which can be

compared with the new pattern of life in Christ, while the

old wineskin stands for the Jewish old religious belief

(Judaism). In the reason of it, the parable is actually

emphasizing on the fact that new wine should be useful in

a new wineskin while the old one serves the same purpose

in the old wineskin. It is also basic to confirm that a

new wine or fresh juice of the grape which has nothing to

do with fermentation which can also be said to mean the

original message of Salvation from our Lord Jesus and the

power of the Holy Spirit as was experienced at Pentecost..

The Lord's opinion on this parable was that the new method

should not be allowed to go through a process of change

like a non-fermented wine going fermented: In other

words, the new system should be prevented from a change,

corruption and less. This could be backed up with the fact

that the Lord was against mixing the fermented teachings

of the Pharisees and Judaism with the modern teachings of

Christianity which is the New Wine which must be preserved

in a New Wineskin (Matt. 16:6; Ex. 12:19; I Cor. 5:7).

CONCLUSION

The New Wine deserves New Wineskin. This will allow

the new wine to be free from all residual fermenting

matter, such as mature yeast cells of the old wineskin.

The moment the new wine goes into old wineskin the

fermentation could burst the old wineskin thereby causing

a lost of both the wine and the old wineskin. So it is

for anyone who combines teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ

and those of the apostles with old pattern of life (sinful

nature of man). We can not say to be in the Lord, probably

because of our Church attendance or being a member in a

particular assembly; if we are still living under sin (I

Jn. 5:18; Rm. 6:1-6; I Jn. 3:7-9; I Pet. 1:22-23).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP & GOATS

B/TEXT: MATT. 25: 31 - 46

M/V: MATT. 25:33, "And he shall set the sheep on his

right hand, but the goats on the left."

AIM: THAT WE MAY LOOK INTO OUR LIVES AND SEE THE TYPE

OF BELIEVERS WE ARE IN THE LORD

INTRODUCTION

This parable serves as a continuation in our series

of studies in the Lord's parables. As stated in the text,

the separation is billed to occur when the Master comes to

this very earth the second time for the purpose of

executing judgement. As other parables, the Parable of the

Sheep' and Goats is meant for our spiritual balanceness in

the Lord.

MATT. 25:32 SEPARATE THEM ONE FROM ANOTHER

This judgement will occur immediately after the

tribulation of the later days. This will be at the Second

Advent of the Lord and before the millennial reign (Dan.

7:7-14; Rev. 5:10; 19:11-20:4).

The following facts could be established concerning

the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats:

i) it is believed that before the great separation,

the saved and the unsaved will still be living on

the earth together;

ii) the Shepherd's judgement will involve the

separation of the evil ones from the righteous

ones (Matt. 25:32-33; 13:41);

iii) while the wicked will be gathered out of the midst

of the righteous and for destruction, the

righteous shall be with the Lord as blessed set of

people (Matt. 13:43; 25:31-34; Rev. 20:4)

MATT. 25:34 EASES FOR THE JUDGEMENT

The level of outward work of love and kindness to

those who believe in Christ and the suffering ones will be

the basis for the judgement. Our ability to express love

and compassion to fellow believers and the suffering ones

is taken as an inherit part of true faith in the Lord

(Matt. 25:35-46). It is basic that the wicked will not be

allowed to enter into the Lord's rest, but will be

tormented everlastingly (Matt. 25: 41, 46; Rev. 14:11). To

the righteous in the Lord, the Kingdom of God will be

given (Matt. 25:34; Rev. 20:4).

MATT. 25:41 THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS

The unrighteous will share their eternity in hell

with the devil and his angels. The devil inherited this

because of the following reasons:

i) his rebellion against God (Isa. 14:12-15; Matt.

4:10);

ii) taking a third of heavenly angels (Rev. 12:4);

iii) Some of the angels are bound in hell (II Pet.

2:4; Jude 6);

iv) Some fallen angels are roaming the earth under

Lucifer's (the devil’s)control (Matt. 12:24;

25:41; Eph. 2:2; Rev. 12:4).

CONCLUSION

It is important for everyone of us to examine

him/herself in the light of the above separation. The big

question now being: 'Are we goats of the devil or sheep of

the Lord and His divine Kingdom? Mark you, sheep love and

care goats scatter them about! May God Almighty in His

infinite mercy open our eyes so as to enable us know our

position(s) in Him in Jesus Name. Amen.

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE LOWEST SEAT DATE:

B/TEXT: LUKE 14:7-14

M/V: MATT. 23:12, 'And whosoever shall exalt himself

shall be abased and he that shall humble himself

shall be exalted."

AIM: THAT WE MAY LEARN HOW TO HUMBLE OURSELVES

INTRODUCTION

"Humility" is one of the watch-words when we talk

about Biblical comportment. The Lord Himself while in

this very world physically was a humbled Personality

before the community where He was living in spite of their

hatred towards Him. The experience in the Book of John

13:5 in which the Lord began to wash His disciples' feet

was a good example of man's humility on earth. Of course,

the Lord showed us this very example which we believe is

worthy of emulation. It was noted that the dramatic event

of washing the disciples' feet occurred on the Lord's

final night on earth.

The Lord lowered Himself to this extend in order to

demonstrate the followings:

i) His love towards the disciples;

ii) to fore-run His self-sacrifice on the Calvary

Cross; and

iii) to demonstrate the fact that every disciple is

called to serve one another with humility.

It was realised that before the illustration above,

the disciples' passion to be great was eating deeper in

their midst (Matt. 18:1-4; 20:20-27; Mk. 9:33-37; Lk.

9:46-48).

Obviously, the Lord wanted them to be aware of the

fact that their desire to be superior and honoured above

one another was contrary to the personality of the Holy

Spirit which dwells in anyone who believes (Lk. 22:24-30;

Jn. 13:12-17; I Pet.5:5).

LK. 14:7 LOWER SEAT

In this Parable the Lord told His original audience

to humble themselves when called to feast. That anyone

who goes to a banquet who prefers a high seat without the

approval of the host will be disgraced, the moment a more

honourable person calls to the same gathering. In other

words, the Lord was directing that if we want to be

honoured, we should first of all lower ourselves in every

situation, mostly in people's gathering. Afterall,

Proverbs 15:33 says: "The fear of the Lord is the

instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."

Biblically, it is noted that "pride" goes with shame,

while a lowly attitude puts on wisdom (Prob. 11:2; 15: 33;

18:12; 22:4; Zeph. 2:3; Acts 20:18-19; Phil.2:3;

Col.3:12).

LK. 14:9-10 BEING HUMILIATED

The moment we refuse to humble ourselves in any

gathering there is every tendency for us to be abased

according to the Bible. As people of God, our Lord's

pattern of humility should be copied. For the Lord was

humbled, even to death (Phil. 2:8).

CONCLUSION

This parable is simply telling us that before we

could be exalted in any situation, it is quite necessary

that we show sign of humility first. Meekness should be

our garment in every occasion so that the people or the

Lord will not debase us. That is to say, we should allow

our personal humility to create room for our promotion in

life (Job. 36:7; Ps.75:7; I Chron. 29:11-14; Prov. 25:6;

Matt. 23:12; Lk.14:11; 18:4).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS

B/TEXT: MATT. 13:24-30

M/V: MATT. 13:41, "The Son of man shall send forth

his angels, and they shall gather out of his

kingdom all things that offend, and them which

do iniquity."

AIM: THAT WE EXAMINE OURSELVES OVER THE TWO CLASSES

IN EXISTENCE

INTRODUCTION

In our lesson today, we shall examine the Parable of

the Weeds (tares) and the Wheat as seen in our text above.

As we go further, we pray everyone to pay earnest

attention to this study because a good audience to the

messages in the lesson will enable us to know the exact

group we belong.

MATT. 13:24-25 GOOD SEED APMIST TARES

According to these verses, it is obvious that the

devil (Satan) will plant evil alongside the sincere Word

of God. Based on the Master's description in verse 38 of

our text, the field represents the entire universe while

the good seed stands for the saints of the Lord (Matt.

13:8).

The following points could easily be established in

this parable:

a) that the sincere word of God and His saints will be

planted all over the world, at the same time, the

devil will also plant falsehood and his children (the

mere church goers) alongside the chosen people of God

(Matt. 13:25, 38-39; Jn. 8:44-45; I Jn. 3:10; Joel

3:13; Rev. 14:15);

b) the emissaries of the devil have the undermining of

the authority which exists in the Word of God as

their prime motive. With the wicked motive, they

could promote unrighteousness and false doctrine in

the churches that aTe not ready to search the Bible

(Matt. 22:29; Acts 20:29-30; II Thess. 2:7,12).

The Lord was confirming the deceptive attitude

of some in the Church who will never work according

to the rules guiding the way of the Lord in this

parable (I Tim.4:1; II Tim. 3:8; 4:3); and

c) when the Lord comes to destroy the wickedness of men,

the existence of the unrighteous amidst the unright-

eous will be terminated, automatically at the close

of this age (Matt. 22:11-14; 25:1-30; Lk. 18:10-14).

MATT. 13:30 UNTIL THE HARVEST

The main facts could be established concerning the

coexistence of the real Christians and the masqueraded

types of Christians (Matt. 13:38; II Cor. 11:13-15):

i) co-existence of the two groups is bound to exist

until the Second Advent of the Lord. The

destruction of the wicked children of the devil

shall come at the close of age (Matt. 13:30, 38-41;

Matt. 3:12);

ii) this parables does not in anyway contradict the

Scriptures which demand that all our erring members

should be disciplined and they who will never

accept correction should be expelled from the midst

of the children of God (Acts 20:28-29; I Cor. 5:1-

12); and

iii) the Parable is also demanding for our state of

alertness because of the subversive beings and

individuals always plants by the devil in order to

obstruct the existence of the Church of God. They

will in many ways, like the tares, look like the

original, but if examined spiritually they are not

(II Cor. 11:ISIS).

CONCLUSION

Since these two groups will ever exist in the House

of God, it is quite necessary that all believers should

pray always so as not to be polluted by the false

worshippers. May God deliver everyone of us from their

hands through the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF PERSISTENT WIDOW

B/TEXT: LUKE 18:1-8

M/V: LK. 11:8, "I say unto you, Though he will not

rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet

because of his importunity he will rise and give

him as many as he needeth."

AIM: THAT WE MAY PERSEVERE IN FAITH

INTRODUCTION

This parable is teaching us that it is quite out of

point, if we fail to realise that we ought to pray always

in order to achieve life's basic necessary needs. The

fact also remains that our daily petitions to God must be

in accordance with the WILL of God (Matt. 6:10,33; I Cor.

10:31; I Jn. 5:14-15).

It is also obvious that some of the blessings ever

prayed for may end up debarring us from serving our God

according to His set rules and regulations. Every

provision we pray for should supply our basic needs and at

the same time enables us to perform our Christian duties

perfectly (II Cor. 9:8; I Tim. 6:8; Heb. 13:5).

LK. 18:1 PRAYING ALWAYS

The Lord was advising here that we should pray always

in order to accomplish the will of God in our lives. The

Parable of the Persistent Widow teaches us the following

facts concerning our Christian race:

i) that our prayers over every prevailing situation

should continue till the Second Advent of the

Lord (Lk. 18:7-8; Rtn. 12:12-13; Eph. 6:18;

Col.4:2; I Thess. 5:17);

ii) that there is an adversary in this life who is

against us. Of course, this Is referring to the

devil, our arch-enemy (Lk.l8:3; I Pet. 5:8; Matt.

6:13);

iii) that our prayers should be crying out against sin

and for justice (Lk.l8:7; Ex. 22:23; Ps. 88:1-3;

Rev. 6:10);

iv) that our persistent prayer is counted as faith

(Lk. 18:8);

v) that before the Second Advent, towards the end,

there will be an increase of diabolic opposition

to the prayers of the saints of the Most High God

(I Tim. 4:1; Mk. 13:5-6); and

vi) that our persistent prayer-life could cease, if

we heed to the devil by desiring pleasure on

things of this life (Lk. 8:14; Matt. 13:22; Mk.

4:9).

LK. 18:7 CRYING DAY AND NIGHT

It is quite basic that the persevering Christians who

are seeking after holiness will ever live to cry for

installation of justice on earth and destruction of the

devil's kingdom. According to verse 8 of our text, the

real saint will always live in prayer until they see that

justice is achieved, moreso, quickly. Being fully aware

of the fact that the return of their Messiah is the only

hope for world (Jn.14: 2; I Thess. 5:2-3; II Thess. 2:8;

Rev. 19:11-21).

LK. 18:8 GOD WILL SEE THAT HIS SAINTS GET JUSTICE

When the Lord returns for the crying saints automatic

end will be put to distress and suffering currently being

received from the hands of the wicked souls of this very

world. At the Lord's Second Coming, the saints will be

caught up into the air to meet their faithful LORD coming

down for His elects. Immediately after the departure of

the saints, God's wrath, of course, not tribulation of the

end, shall be poured on the wicked people of this devilish

and hostile world (Jn. 14:2-3; I Thess. 4:17; 5:2-3,9).

LK. 18:8 WHEN HE COMES WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH

This multi-million dollars question of the Lord has a

lot for us to reason about. The fear here was based on

the very fact that before the Second Advent of the Lord,

evil will dominate the world to the extend that many

Church members will opt out of genuine faith (Matt. 24:11-

13,24; I Tim. 4:1). As history is drawing us almost to a

halt point, the big question in every believer's heart

should be: 'Am I persevering in faith based on God's type

of holiness?' Two, 'Am I so preoccupied with the affairs

of this very earth that I look not forward for the Lord's

Second Coming?' Spiritually, let's read in Lk. 12:37;

Matt. 24:42,46; 25:13).

CONCLUSION

This parable is demanding for our state of

preparedness. The affairs of the world which shall

certainly perish in a single day should not occupy our

lives more than the expected Messiah's return to earth.

For more spiritual upliftment, let us carefully complete

our study today by reading from the following verses of

the Holy Scripture: Matt. 12:45; Ez, 18:24; Heb. 6:4-8).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD

B/TEXT: MATT. 20:1-16

M/V: Eph. 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through

faith; and that not of works, lest any man

should boast."

AIM: THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO ESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THE

GRACE OF GOD

INTRODUCTION

This Parable teaches that our entrance into God's

Kingdom is not on merit or right, but a privilege. The

Lord in this parable taught us three basic things which

could be classified as follows:

i) that we should not feel superior because of the

fortunate position we have found in the Lord;

ii) that we should not fail to share the Lord's concern

in offering His grace to all;

iii) that we should put off our envious spirit when

others are blessed spiritually like us.

MATT. 20:1-7 THE CONCERN OF THE LANDOWNER

One notable fact about this Parable was that the

people were idle and the man of the Vineyard decided to

have compassion on them. He wanted them to be graciously

occupied with that which will benefit their souls. Of

course, the Lord's decision in Salvation is to show us

merciful love (Jn. 3:16; Deut. 13:17; Ps. 77:9; Ex. 22:27;

Isa. 54:7; Matt. 9:36; 15:32; James 5:11).

MATT. 20:8-11 BALANCED PAYMENT

The merciful landowner who decided to show compassion

on the idled people made His payment to every one

ACCORDING TO WHAT He did promise them before the

commencement of the assignment in the Vineyard. He did

not change His agreement, but stuck to it. What a

faithful Master! Of course, our God can not promise and

fail (Matt. 20:13; Deut. 7:9; Ps. 33:4; Isa. 49:7; Rev.

19:11).

MATT. 20:10-16 ENVIOUS SPIRIT

Another development in this Parable was the envious

spirit displayed by the first set of workers. They did

not want everybody to be shown equal favour by the Master.

Of course, this is human! God's Salvation to both Jews

and the Gentiles is the same. He favoured everybody

equally not minding whether we started with Him recently

while the Jews started from Abrahamic age. Our Lord loves

equally and not according to the desire of the envious

workers in the Church who believe they have been on it for

quite long a time before the new workers. Of course, the

parable teaches us not to envy one another (Prob. l4:30;

Mk. 7:22-23; I Cor. 13:4).

CONCLUSION

The paramount fact in this Parable is that we should

serve God without envy in our hearts against fellow-

workers, no matter their rewards. In love should we all

serve (I Jn.3 10,18; 4:1-18).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE THE MERCILESS SERVANT

B/TEXT: MATT. 18:23-3,

M/V: Matt. 6:2, "And forgive us our debts, as we

forgive our debtors"

AIM: THAT WE MAY CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF FORGIVING ONE

ANOTHER

INTRODUCTION

This parable is part of our studies in the Lord's

teachings on parables. It stands to demonstrate the Word

of God based on the fact that our Salvation has its proper

meaning, if we learn and practise the principle of

forgiveness. In the parable, we could see that the Lord

was laying an emphasis on the fact that the work of

salvation is based on "forgiveness" both from the side of

the giver and the recipient. In other words, God has

forgiven us of all that we have trespassed against Him in

life and gave us Salvation free so should we forgive our

fellow human beings who offend us in one way or the other.

The Lord in Matt. 18:22 made it completely impossible for

one to have excuse in keeping enmity with his brother by

saying that the degree of forgiveness must be 490 times.

A condition which looks too impossible, since no one can

offend another at such a rate!

MATT. 18:25 GENERAL CONDEMNATION

In this parable, we could see that not only the

debtor was to pay for the penalty of his debt, but the

entire family. Of course, Adam brought a general

condemnation to the entire human race (Rm, 5:14).

MATT.18:28 THE WICKED SERVANT

This servant was pardoned by his Master, but refused a

pardon which he was supposed to grant his own debtor. He

was completely outside the principle of forgiveness which

we must maintain before the Lord (Matt. 6:l4; Mk. 11:26;

Matt. 18:1; 22:31; Jn. 17:15; II Cor. 2:11).

Any believer who does not forgive easily lives to

offend the Lord in what so ever he/she is doing. In the

real sense of this parable, the Lord wants us to forgive

one another willingly, That, if we do not forgive the

offences of others, God will not also forgive us and our

prayers will not be answered (Matt. 18: 35; Mk. 11:26; Lk.

11:4).

CONCLUSION

There is no two ways about this matter: God wants us

to change according to His own way. That is to say, we

must easily forgive others as He has forgiven us (Matt.

6:14; 18:35).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET

B/TEXT: LUKE 14:15-24

M/V: II Cor. 6:2 "For he saith, I have heard thee in

a time accepted, and in the day of salvation

have I succored thee: Behold, now is the

accepted time; behold, now is the day of

salvation."

AIM: THAT WE MAKE NO LIGHT OF THE CALL OF GOD

INTRODUCTION

The parable of the Banquet was originally applicable

to the nation of Israel who made light of the Lord's

salvation, Biblically, the same parable could be said to

be referring to all the Churches and unbelievers who have

made light of the word of God which is inviting all to

come and share from the table of Salvation free of charge.

LK. 16:15-24 GREAT PARABLE

Biblical facts about this parable could be

established as followings:

i) that the parable stands for the day of revelation

of future glory of the Messiah and His return for

His rapturable Church (Lk.14:14-15; 22:18);

ii) that those who made light of the invitation could

be compared with those who have received an

invitation to come to the table of Salvation which

is free but because of the cares of life made light

of the invitation by refusing to honour the Lord's

invitation (Lk.14:17-19)

iii) that those who previously accepted the invitation,

but refused to come for the Banquet are those who

have accepted or appear to accept the Lord's

invitation to Salvation, yet their love for the

Lord and the Kingdom of God has grown cold

(Lk.14:17-20);

iv) that another set of people who have decided to pay

deaf-ears to the call of the Lord are such as those

who have ceased to set their goals according to

heavenly standards (Lk. 14:18-20). They have

refused to accept the Biblical admonition which

says that we should set "our minds on things above,

not on earthly things" while waiting for the second

coming of the Master (Col. 3:1-4). They no longer

long for a better home which is heavenly (Heb.

11:16); and

v) according to verses 21-23, there will also be those

minds which will always be with the Master in

heaven and not fixed on properties of this earth

which are temporary. These set of believers always

pray for the return of their Master (Rev. 22:20).

CONCLUSION

The Parable is a warning to all and sundry. On no account

should we make light of the free gift of God. The water

of Salvation is free and anyone who is thirsty should come

and take out of it freely too (Isa. 55:1; Rev. 21:6).

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE WATCHFUL SERVANTS

B/TEXT: LUKE 12:35-40

M/V: LK. 12:40 "Be ye therefore ready also: for the

Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

AIM: THAT WE MAY BE WATCHFUL OVER THE LORD'S SECOND

ADVENT

INTRODUCTION

Today’s lesson has "watching and expecting" as its

theme. One basic fact about this aspect of Bible studies

is that even right from the inception of the early Church,

believers have been living as if their Master will come

the next hour. In this Parable, the Lord expected His

Church to be active in watching over His return.

LK. 12:35 LAMPS BURNING

Just as briefly stated in the introductory aspect of

this study, the Church has been living in this world with

the belief" that the Lord's second coming could take place

anytime (Mark 13:35). Being that the second advent is

imminent, but the time uncertain, we must be spiritually

alert and endeavour to live a faithful life unto the Lord

to the end (Matt. 24:42,44; Lk. 12:35-36, 38-40,46; 21:34-

36).

The Parable of the Watchful Servants in the real

sense of it, is demanding for the following steps from

every one of us:

i) that our hearts should be seriously attached to the

Second Coming of the Messiah which is our greatest

treasure in life (Lk. 12:34);

ii) that our life-hope and longing should be of the

RETURN of the Lord (Lk. 12:35-37);

iii) we must be clothed with the spirit of readiness and

waiting for the unpredictable time of the Lord's

coming (Lk. 12:38,40);

iv) that the Master1s coming is imminent and that He

could come anytime (Lk. 12:34);

v) Our waiting and looking should be for Christ's

coming and not for any mundane (ordinary) event

(Matt. 24:42,44; Jn. 14:3; I Cor.15:51).

LK. 12:36 WAITING FOR OUR. MASTER

As serious servants, we must constantly look into our

spiritual progress in the light of our Master1s coming.

Anyone of us living in sin with the belief that the

Master's coming is not yet, is behaving life the wicked

servant. Failure to maintain sound relationship with the

Lord till His Second Coming means being excluded from the

Lord's presence and His Kingdom. Many people's failure

will come as a result of not being ever ready and waiting

for the Second Advent, but waiting to see signs that are

not forthcoming (Matt. 25:13; 24:36,44). The Lord1s

observation, according to this parable, was that majority

of His people will be SLEEPING at the time He will come

again (Lk. 18:8; Matt. 25:8-13).

LK. 12:38 IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THOSE SERVANTS

We shall be specifically blessed in the presence of

our God, if we wait for His coming with full readiness,

watchfulness and faithfulness (Lk. 12:36-37).

LK. 12:40 WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM

According to verse 35 of our text, we should be

spiritually ready in addition to being obedient because

the Lord is coming at uncertain time (Matt. 24:36, 42-44;

Lk.21:34; I Thess. 5:2-4).

CONCLUSION

This Parable, like other parables, is teaching us to

be ready for the Lord' s Second Corning may take place

anytime. That we should take daily spiritual stock of our

lives In order to avoid being over-taken on that day. Our

relationship with OTEHRS should be sound and perfect

since the Lord will not tolerate any spirit of

Intimidation among His servants.