Parent and child

Train children to love God

• Matthew 22:36-40 – The ultimate goal we have for our children is for them to observe the two greatest commandments and love God and love others.
• I John 4:20

Love God yourself

• Deuteronomy 6:1-9 – It starts with you! It can’t be a hypocritical thing.
• Proverbs 20:7 – It is a blessing to our children to walk in God’s way.
• Matthew 7:5 – Don’t be hypocritical! Be what you want your kids to be.
• II Timothy 1:5 – Timothy grew up with great spiritual influences in his mother and grandmother.
• Romans 2:24 – Try switching out the words “the Gentiles” for “your kids.” Don’t raise your children so that they harm the name of Christ.
• Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:21 – Christ left an example for us.
• Learning by example: Parents teach toddlers English by example – one of the most complex languages in the world! That’s how powerful teaching by example can be.

Editor’s note: David has graciously allowed me to include a PDF version of the handout he mentions in this lesson. See the link under “Resource files for this lesson” above. Thanks, David! -MRW

Introduction

• Mark 14:22-25
• I Corinthians 11:20-34 – It’s possible to partake of the Lord’s Supper incorrectly! This was happening in Corinth. We need to make sure we partake correctly.

HORROR at His pain

• Matthew 26:27-28; 27:27-31; John 19:1

SORROW for my sin

• Isaiah 53:5-6 – This is because of us!

GRATITUDE for salvation

• Matthew 26:27-28
• I Corinthians 15:57

HONORED with fellowship

• Matthew 26:29
• I Corinthians 10:14-22 – We have fellowship with God and with each other when we partake of the Lord’s Supper.

HOPE for the future

• I Corinthians 11:26 – We will partake until the Lord comes again!
• Hebrews 9:28

• Hebrews 7:4-8:7
• Hebrews 7:9-10 – This illustrates the greatness of Melchizedek. Even in Abraham’s time, his priesthood was greater than the priesthood of Levi, given that Levi in a sense gave tithes to Melchizedek, being still in the loins of Abraham.
• Hebrews 7:11-12 – Perfection could not be found under the Law of Moses, so there must necessarily be a change of law and priesthood.
• Hebrews 7:13-14 – For Jesus to serve as high priest, he had to operate under a new law and a new priesthood. Jesus was from the tribe of Judah – not Levi.
• Hebrews 7:16 – Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek not based on family descent but based on His indestructible life. This may imply that Melchizedek was a heavenly being taking the form of a man on earth.
• Hebrews 7:23-25 – Unlike human priests under the Law of Moses, Jesus serves as a high priest permanently.
• Hebrews 7:26 – Jesus is the best possible high priest – holy, innocent, and exalted.
• Hebrews 8:1-2 – Jesus serves as a high priest and ministers in the new tabernacle – the saved relationship. See Exodus 20:24. God recorded His name in the tabernacle and then the temple. Today, He records His name in the saved relationship, which is the new temple.

The prophet Daniel

• Daniel obtained prominence and power – Daniel 1:3-6
  • Preeminence among the wise men of Babylon – Daniel 1:17-20
  • Power over all of Babylon – Daniel 2:48-49; 5:29
  • Power over Medo-Persian empire – Daniel 6:1-3, 28
• How could he do this as a Jew in a pagan kingdom?
  • Retaining his faith
  • Doing so without compromise

Four qualities of Daniel

A man of purpose

• “Daniel purposed in heart” – Daniel 1:8
  • Young boy in a strange land
  • Challenged to violate God’s law
  • His purpose was to remain faithful to God
    • God rewarded him with favor in sight of others – Daniel 1:9
    • Much like He did for Joseph – Genesis 39:1-4, 21
  • We all need to be people of purpose – Matthew 6:33
    • Seek God’s will and live it in our lives
    • We will have sufficiency in all things

A man of principle

• Refused to compromise his convictions
  • Young man – Daniel 1:8
    • Refused to eat king’s meat
    • Refused to drink his wine
  • Older man, refused Belshazzar’s gifts – Daniel 5:13-17
  • Refused to obey decree of Darius against God – Daniel 6:10
• Such people usually admired
  • Outwardly admire
  • Know who they can trust
  • God accepts such people – Psalms 15:1-5

A man of purity

• No fault found in him by his opponents
  • Looked at his governmental affairs
  • Found to be faithful, without negligence or corruption – Daniel 6:1-4
• Christians also must maintain purity of conduct
  • I Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:6-8
  • Young or old
  • Must be examples of believers
  • Regardless of status – Titus 2:9-10

A man of prayer

• Devotion was well known – Daniel 6:5
• Its hallmark was his continued praying – Daniel 6:10
  • Demonstrated humility – took to his knees
  • Gave thanks – in face of persecution
  • Was his custom over time
  • Continued along with his success
• Christians should follow his example
  • Always and with thanks – I Thessalonians 5:17-18
  • Devotedly with thanks – Colossians 4:2

Daniel – an example for us

• Do we live lives of:
  • Purpose
  • Principle
  • Purity
  • Prayer

Introduction

• The rich man and Lazarus: Luke 16:19-31

God expects us to take the opportunity to help others

• Romans 2:6-8; Matthew 22:37-40 – What was the rich man seeking? Was he loving his neighbor?
• Galatians 6:9-10 – Don’t grow weary doing good.
• Matthew 25:14-30 – Our reward will depend on our use of the talents God has given us.
• Matthew 25:31-46 – Helping others is helping Christ.

God expects us to have compassion

• Compassion is “suffering with one another.”
• Without compassion, it’s hard to see opportunities.
• Examples of God’s compassion: Psalms 86:15; 111:4; 145:8-9; 78:37-38
• Examples of Jesus’ compassion:
  • Spiritual needs: Matthew 9:36; James 5:19-20
  • Physical needs: Matthew 15:32; 20:34; I John 3:16-17; James 5:13-16