Bible Expositor and Illuminator March, April, May 2016

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SPRING QUARTER

Vol. LXXXVIII

No. 2

Bible Expositor and Illuminator SPRING QUARTER

March, April, May 2016

Looking Ahead .................................................................................................. Editorials ............................................................................................................

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The Gift of Faith UNIT I: Tests of Faith Mar. 6—Powerful Faith—Mark 9:14-29.......................................................................... Mar. 13—Simple Faith—Mark 10:17-31 ........................................................................... Mar. 20—Struggling Faith—Mark 14:26-31, 66-72.......................................................... Mar. 27—Resurrection Faith (Easter)—Mark 16:1-8 ......................................................

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UNIT II: Restorative Faith Apr. 3—Healing Faith—Luke 7:1-10 .............................................................................. Apr. 10—Saving Faith—Luke 7:36-50 ............................................................................. Apr. 17—Spiritual Deliverance—Luke 8:26-36 ............................................................... Apr. 24—Reconciling Faith—Luke 15:11-24...................................................................

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UNIT III: Fullness of Faith May May May May May

1—Increasing Faith—Luke 17:1-10 ....................................................................... 8—Grateful Faith—Luke 17:11-19 ......................................................................... 15—Humble Faith—Luke 18:9-14............................................................................ 22—Childlike Faith—Luke 18:15-27; Mark 10:16 ................................................... 29—Joyous Faith—Luke 19:1-10............................................................................. Topics for Next Quarter .................................................................................... Paragraphs on Places and People .................................................................. Daily Bible Readings ......................................................................................... Review................................................................................................................

116 130 144 158 172 188 189 190 191

Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $4.55 per quarter* $18.20 per year* *shipping and handling extra

ISBN 978-1-59843-430-9 Lessons based on International Sunday School Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series and used with permission. Edited and published quarterly by The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, 2000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44109-5812. Mailing address: P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-1059. www.uniongospelpress.com

LOOKING AHEAD This quarter is an in-depth study of faith, a subject we can never get too much of. Examining what the Bible has to say about faith can be an encouragement for us to hang on to God when times are hard. The first unit is a series on tests of faith. In lesson 1 a father was tested because of his son’s demon possession and the inability of Jesus’ disciples to help him. In lesson 2 a rich young ruler was tested after he asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Sadly, he failed his test. Lesson 3 describes a test for Jesus’ disciples and especially for Peter as Jesus warned them about His coming arrest and death. Peter failed his test too and had to be restored later, after Jesus’ resurrection. The women who went to Jesus’ tomb after His death (lesson 4) had their faith tested in regard to what had happened to Him. They and all the others, however, soon rejoiced over His resurrection. The second unit deals with restorative faith. It begins in lesson 5 with the healing of the centurion’s servant, which occurred after the Jews spoke appreciatively of this Roman soldier. This is followed in lesson 6 with the salvation of the woman who came to anoint Jesus’ feet while He ate in Simon’s house. The third restoration came to the demon-possessed man inhabited by a legion of demons, as described in lesson 7. Lesson 8 reminds us of the loving father of the prodigal son, portraying our loving Father. The third unit moves us into an understanding of the fullness of faith, helping us realize that our faith can grow and be rewarding for all who exercise it. Lesson 9 describes the importance of that growth as it looks at Jesus’ teaching on forgiving others. This is followed in lesson 10 by the account of the one leper who was healed and returned to thank Jesus and thus enjoy His salvation. In lesson 11 we read of Jesus contrasting the self-righteous Pharisee and the humble tax collector and are reminded that humility must be part of our acceptance of salvation. Lesson 12 reminds us that the most humble faith is simply childlike faith, as seen in the little ones who came to Jesus to be blessed by Him. The unit concludes in lesson 13 with the exciting salvation of Zacchaeus, a man considered by most Jews at that time to be one of the most despicable individuals alive. Nevertheless, through faith in the Saviour, he experienced great joy. —Keith E. Eggert.

PLEASE NOTE: The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, most earnestly endeavors to proclaim fundamentally sound doctrine. The writers are prayerfully selected for their Bible knowledge and yieldedness to the Spirit of Truth, each writing in his own style as enlightened by the Holy Spirit. At best we know in part only. “They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

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EDITORIALS

Where Does Faith Come From? TODD WILLIAMS I was surprised and amused a few months ago when I saw an advertisement for Sunday Assembly, a godless church service experience invented by a couple of atheistic comedians. Apparently, this idea of having “church” for atheists and agnostics really caught on quickly. Within one year, the movement grew from one “church” to twenty-eight worldwide. They even had their own “church split” during that period (“Atheist Church Split,” huffingtonpost.com). There are many intriguing aspects to this story, but I want to focus here on the excitement that has been generated about avoiding faith in God. These people want to enjoy the church experience but not be bothered with faith in God. This behavior is not surprising. Quoting from the Old Testament, the Apostle Paul asserted that no one seeks God (Rom. 3:11). Everyone avoids God and seeks out his own way (vs. 12). Even some Christians get upset if this scriptural truth is applied on a more personal level. They easily assume that sweet Aunt Susie is safe because God could never allow such a “wonderful” person to go to hell merely on the basis that she lacks faith in Christ. When we get right down to it, though, we must not contradict God. Scripture admits no exceptions: “without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb. 11:6). That leads us to the question in the title of this article. If no one seeks God—not even “good, upstanding” people—how is it that anyone ever comes to trust in God? Where does our faith come from? No less than the essence of salvation lies at the heart of a correct answer to that question. Bible Expositor and Illuminator

Christians often assume the basic situation is that God supplies the salvation and we supply the faith. In other words, it is up to God to save us, but we have to come up with the faith to trust Him. At first glance, this seems reasonable and fair. But as we have seen earlier, our sin-corrupted nature always causes us to trust ourselves, not God. We could never develop faith in God on our own, for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9). The result is that “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). Clearly, the darkness of sin and rebellion in our hearts is not an environment where faith could develop naturally. Besides the sinful longings and rebellion of our own hearts, there is the problem of Satan’s work. Paul said, “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (II Cor. 4:4; cf. I Cor. 1:18). Thus, even if somehow we did want to seek God’s truth, Satan actively works to keep us from understanding it. This should lead us to recognize that faith must come from outside ourselves. This idea may surprise some Christians. But think about the parable Jesus told of the sower (Matt. 13:3-23). The dirt on which the seed is scattered represents our sinful and darkened hearts. None of the four kinds of soil could produce anything of value on their own, just as we have no good works to commend us to God. What (Continued on page 186)

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LESSON 1

MARCH 6, 2016

Scripture Lesson Text MARK 9:14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Je⬘sus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 When Je⬘sus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Je⬘sus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

NOTES

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Powerful Faith Lesson: Mark 9:14-29 Read: Mark 9:14-29 TIME: A.D. 29

PLACE: possibly near Mount Hermon

GOLDEN TEXT—“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).

Introduction

they could possibly have had. God graciously gives us high points in our Christian walk. He knows we need the training that comes from painful situations, but He also knows the encouragement that comes from spiritually exhilarating times. We must realize that these are special blessings.

What would it have been like to be one of Jesus’ original twelve disciples? Most of the rabbis had students whom they taught about God and His Word. But what would it have been like to be a student learning from the Son of God? It took them a while, of course, to fully understand who He was; but throughout the process of learning, they were being mentored by the One who had been anticipated for centuries in Israel. One of the greatest privileges was given to Peter, James, and John while they were with Jesus at the transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13). It was the most glorious mountaintop experience

LESSON OUTLINE I. A NEEDY SON—Mark 9:14-20 II. A BELIEVING FATHER— Mark 9:21-24 III. A POWERFUL SAVIOUR— Mark 9:25-29

Exposition: Verse by Verse A NEEDY SON

when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have

MARK 9:14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, Bible Expositor and Illuminator

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March 6, 2016