Zhang Wei was no ordinary citizen. He had served faithfully in the Chinese army, and as a well-respected individual, he served as mayor of his village. There came a time, however, when Zhang Wei decided to move to a large city to earn more money. Packing his few belongings, he went to one of the … Continue reading –>
If Joseph and Mary had stayed their minds upon God by meditation and prayer, they would have realized the sacredness of their trust, and would not have lost sight of Jesus. By one day’s neglect they lost the Saviour; but it cost them three days of anxious search to find Him. So with us; by … Continue reading –>
So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Luke 3:10-11 That one response from John the Baptist was so insightful for this week’s lesson … Continue reading –>
Luke and Matthew reverse the order of the second and third temptations. The reason is not clear, but that need not detain us. The crucial point is the ultimate victory of Jesus over Satan, proclaimed by both Gospels. The significant factor that emerges from study of the temptations is that Jesus Christ is a real … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 4:5-8. Why would Satan want Jesus to worship him? What crucial issue was at stake here? Worship is the sole prerogative of God. It is the one factor that forever separates the creature from the Creator. One of the issues in Lucifer’s rebellion against God in heaven is that of worship. Lucifer’s ambition … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : By idle talk, evilspeaking, or neglect of prayer, we can lost the Savior’s presence, and it may take many days of sorrowful search to find Him. [Lesson plan for Baptism and Temptations April 6, 2015] 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 3:11-14. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the … Continue reading –>
Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, . . . was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil (Luke 4:1-2, NKJV). Born for a God-ordained mission, commissioned to the task at His baptism, equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus the Christ retreated into the … Continue reading –>
In Luke 2:41-50, we read the famous story of Joseph and Mary losing sight of Jesus in Jerusalem. What’s especially fascinating is Jesus’ response to Mary when she rebukes Him (Luke 2:48). Jesus’ answer is an affirmation of His divine self-consciousness, that He is the Son of God. Why did you seek Me? Did you … Continue reading –>
In Luke 3:1-38, John appears in his unique and crucial role in salvation history. Whatever else one could say about John’s preaching, he was not sugarcoating his words in order to please the crowd. Read Luke 3:1-14. His words are filled with important truths, not just for those within earshot but for all of us. … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 3:1-14; Rom. 6:1-6; Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:5-8; Isa. 14:13-14; Luke 4:9-13. Memory Text: And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said,You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased (Luke 3:22, NKJV). As we … Continue reading –>
