Dedication of Jesus

Sunday, December 20, 2015
Exodus 13:13-15; Luke 2:22-32 KJV

13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. 14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [is] this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: 15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. 


22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What were the children of God to redeem after taking possession of their land of promise and with what were they to redeem each? (v.13)
2) What were the children of Israel to tell their children when they asked why they made these sacrifices? (v.14-15)
3) What did Mary do following the birth of Jesus? Why? (v.22-24)
4) Who was Simeon and what did God do for him? Why? (v.25-26)
5) What was Simeon doing when Jesus' earthly parents brought Him to the temple and what did Simeon say upon seeing the Christ child? (v.27-32)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What are you expecting from the Lord before Jesus returns?

LIFE LESSONS
7) To prepare for Jesus' return, we must ask the Lord to rid us of all that is not like Him or of Him.
8) To prepare for the Lord's return, we must ask Him to bring us into alignment with His word and His will.

The Coming Son of Man

Friday, March 27, 2015
Mark 14:55-62 KJV 

55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. 57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59 But neither so did their witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what [is it which] these witness against thee? 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What were the Jewish leaders seeking to find against Jesus and why? (v.55a)
2) Were they successful? Why not? (v.55b-59)
3) What did the high priest say to our Lord Jesus? (v.60)
4) How did Jesus respond? (v.61a)
5) What did the high priest ask of Jesus the second time? (v.61b)
6) What did Jesus finally say in response to the high priest? (v.62)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) As we approach Resurrection Sunday, what are you telling your children, grandchildren, and/or others about Jesus?

LIFE LESSONS
8) Our Lord Jesus died and rose again so that believers may bear witness that He died for the sins of all and will return again soon.

Beware, Keep Alert

Thursday, March 26, 2015
Mark 13:30-37 KJV

30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 32 But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After telling His disciples about the end of the age and the great tribulation, what does our Lord tell the listeners and what warning does He give them? (v.30-37)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
2) What are you doing to prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ?

LIFE LESSONS
3) Be ready. Watch and pray for our Lord will return suddenly.
4) Be ready.  Abide in the word of God and let the word of God abide in you.
5) Be ready. Be filled with the Holy Spirit at all times for no one knows the day or hour of our Lord's return.