Welcome to “Sunday School…Sunday School”. Each week we will highlight our Adult Class Sunday School Lesson for the upcoming week. This site is designed to prepare you for the upcoming lesson, and give you greater insight into the Word of God. Get ready to be“stretched”. Get ready for an exciting journey. Get ready for a stir in your Soul.
Daily Scripture reading for the week is at the end of the page.
Dr. June Normil
Unit 1 Study 2
March 9, 2014
Study Scriptures for this week's Lesson: Isaiah 7:14-16; 8:14-15; 9:2-7; 11:1-9; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 20:17-18
Key Verse: A virgin shall be with child,and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us(KJV).
Central Truth: Jesus Christ fulfills the Old Testament Messianic Prophecies.
Our Focus: To reflect on messianic prophecies from Isaiah and rejoice in their fulfillment.
The Promised Deliverer
Introducing the study
Can you remember waiting for something special when you were a child? Maybe it was a birthday party or Christmas holiday. Perhaps as an adult you experience those same emotions as you waited for a big event in your life, such as an engagement, wedding, or birth of a child. The faithful people of Israel waited many years for their greatest blessing from God to arrive--namely, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was the long-awaited Deliverer foretold as far back as the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve rebelled against God (Genesis 3:15). Today's lesson will examine a number of Messianic prophecies from Isaiah and their fulfillment in the New Testament.
The Deliverer Is with Us
Chapters 7-12 of Isaiah have been referred to as "The Books of Immanuel" because of the many prophecies concerning Christ. Verses 14 states, "the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. In Isaiah 8:8, the land of Israel is identified as Immanuel's land. This establishes that Immanuel is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And Matthew's Gospel bears this out (Matthew 1:22-23). Jesus is "God with us" physically in the days of His carnation and spiritually still today. Because His presence continually abides with us through the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 13:5), we are not only comforted, but enabled to live for Him. He is "God with us" in all our trials and tribulations. In Isaiah 8:14-15, those who believe in the Lord, He is a sanctuary. For those who reject Him, He will be a stumbling stone and a rock of offense. Jesus issued a similar warning in Luke 20:17-18. He made it clear that we either accept Him or reject Him. There is no such thing as neutrality or middle ground on this all-important choice. For those who reject Him, there is only a dismal expectation of eternal damnation. The good news is that we can accept Jesus and be saved and have eternal life. This is spoken of as a person falling on the rock or stone,or having the stone fall on him or her (verse 18). We may stumble and fall. But that's okay because being broken before the Lord is the starting point to be truly saved.
[For Personal Reflection] What does it mean to you personally that Jesus Christ is God with us?
The Deliverer Governs His People
Isaiah prophesied during a very dark time in Israel's history. Idolatry and other sin were running rampant throughout the country. People were not following the Lord as they should have been. Into the moral and spiritual darkness a great light would (John 8:12; 9:5). All those without Christ live in spiritual darkness and desperately need this light of the World. In verse 6, we see four title, "Wonderful Counselor," describes His as a supernatural wonder and counselor par excellence. Jesus knows the answer and the best course of action for all the things that perplex and distress us. The title "Mighty God" reminds us of the Messiah's unhindered ability to keep His promises and meet all of our needs. As the "Everlasting Father" we are assured of Christ's desire to have a loving relationship with each of us. The "Prince of Peace" indicates His desire is to see us live whole, well-balanced lives. When Jesus reigns during the Millennium, there will be true, lasting peace. His kingdom will include every nation, tribe, people, and tongue. He will rule His kingdom with judgement and justice. It is difficult to imagine how these things will work out. But we can trust Him and have hope as we look forward to the time when Jesus Christ establishes His millennial kingdom on earth.
[For Personal Reflection] In what ways can we let our light shine to the lost people around us?
The Deliverer Reigns Righteously
In this passage Isaiah 11:1, the Messiah is viewed of His Humble origins. He is the branch that will grow out of the roots. It shows Jesus Christ's modest situation. Jesse, David's father, is mentioned to establish that the Messiah would come from the line of David and fulfill God's promise to David. The Messiah was and is richly anointed by the Holy Spirit. In fact Jesus had the Spirit without measure. The Spirit of the Lord would be manifested in Jesus' life in six ways. There would be wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, and knowledge and the fer of the Lord. The Messiah would not judge by what He sees and hears. Rather, He will judge with righteousness and justice. At the Second Coming, Jesus the Messiah will restore creation. The picture of wild animals and domesticated farm animals living side by side shows the harmony that will be restored to nature. even harmful creatures like serpents will become so harmless that a child can play with them. We have a promise of the Lord that these things will come into existence one day. This is why we need to live soberly and righteously in this present age, so we can be ready when God commences His calendar of events for the last days.
[For Personal reflection] How can we experience a greater anointing of the Holy Spirit today?
Discipleship in Action
How exciting it is to reflect upon all the promises of God that are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We have been assured that God is with us in the person of Jesus Christ. We have been encouraged in the Promise of a perfect King who will lead this world with righteousness and justice during the Millennium. As we have seen God keep His Word with Christ's first coming, we can confidently expect that He will do the same with His second coming. Ask the Lord to give you a greater anointing of the Holy Spirit so you can be a powerful witness of the gospel. These are exciting days in which to live as we await the next event on God's timetable.
God's Promises are Yea and Amen!
Monday God Raises Up a Deliverer. Judges 3:7-11
Tuesday Song of Deliverance. 2 Samuel 22:1-4
Wednesday The Lord Governs Righteously. Psalm 67:3-7
Thursday Moses, Ruler, and Deliverer. Acts 7:35-40
Friday Reject Sin's Reign. Romans 6:11-18
Saturday Reigning Kings and Priests. Revelation 5:6-10
See You In Sunday School Next Week!!!!
Copyright Reference: Radiant Life, Volume 95 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2014 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield, Mo 65802.
Dr. June Normil