Ever since first sin reared its ugly head in the third chapter of Genesis, it has been handed down through the generations. What a thought! Even though God makes it absurdly plain that we will never be judged by the sins of our fathers, the truth remains that we will suffer the consequences of their sins along with our own.

We are victims of the effects of sin all the days of our lives.

Only the Father knows the shameful secrets of our past. He’s also aware of the continued agony these past sins cause long after we’re forgiven of them. When it comes to the consequences of sin, there’s no getting off Scot-free. Our sins rear their ugly heads over and over as long as we walk on this earth. We will never be free of their effects until that day when we finally stand in the presence of Christ in the throne room of God.

God uses our past sins to build our faith. Sometimes our forgiven sins help us relate to others with similar pasts and makes our witness more viable to them. Other times, He uses these sins to remind us of where we came from. The list goes on and on. God uses our sins in many ways.

Frequently, the reminders of our past sins come through those who were affected by them. These are the most painful reminders of all. How we wish we could erase the bad choices we made and the hurt these caused our loved ones! We know we deserve the consequences for ourselves, but we want those affected by our sins to be set free. How can we realize the relief God’s forgiveness brings when we’re watching our loved ones suffer for what we’ve done. At times like these, we may feel as if we have NOT yet been forgiven.

As in all situations in the believer’s life, there is light at the end of the tunnel. God is sovereign and He uses all the bad, the hurt, the pain and sin for His glory. He is able to do—and does do—some pretty amazing things to bring about salvation when hope is lost. The effects of sin may continue to be passed down through the generations, but faith in God will deliver from that sin and heal the pain.

In the midst of the pain, we grow closer to God and realize that someday, sin will be no more.

You would think that as believers we would be more cognizant of the tactics of Satan. Unfortunately, this is not the way it works. We are so hung up on the “rights” we believe are ours as believers that we’re more comfortable blaming someone human than acknowledging the reality of the “powers and principalities and dark forces in the spiritual realm” [Ephesians 6:12]. This presents a potentially dangerous situation.

In verses 13-18 of Ephesians Chapter 6, we are plainly warned of the need to prepare ourselves against Satan’s attacks. We’re given ample instructions as to how we’re to cope with these attacks. Unfortunately, by casting blame on someone human—or anything in the natural realm— but we’re not taking Satan seriously and lay ourselves open to his onslaughts.
We know that God is sovereign and has authority over Satan and that He’s well aware of the attacks we face. We know that even though He could stop the attacks, in His sovereignty He may choose not to. But we also know that He promises to equip us with what we need to stand up under the onslaught whenever it comes.

God’s Word is filled with reminders that the world is an evil place and until Jesus comes again He is allowing Satan to be the “prince of the power of the air.” If we are going to survive until then, it is essential we study His Word and keep our attention focused on God.

Our battle is not with our loved ones, our brothers and sisters in Christ or our co-workers. God instructs us to love all people, even our enemies and to not let the sun go down in our anger. We are to esteem others more highly than ourselves. We can do all these things because Christ is in us and enables us to stand against the enemy. If ever wounded and rendered useless, we have no one to blame but ourselves, because God has given us all we need to defeat the enemy and complete the work He has given us to do.

Early in November Susan and Gail traveled to Myanmar to teach a seminar on how to interpret the parables of Jesus. We conducted two sessions—one in Yangon and the other in Mandalay. Both were housed at local seminaries so the environment was not only safe but conductive to learning.

The results of both seminars were gratifying. We had approximately 70 participants at each of the locations, from a wide variety of age groups and walks of life. In Yangon we addressed mainly Bible school students and in Mandalay a selection of missionaries, Bible students, and pastors. Most of the attendees in Mandalay were from the city and most of those attending in Yangon were from the out-reaches of the country.

In addition to the expenses of putting on the two seminars, we were pleased to be able—with your generous donations—to provide financial support for Philip and his ministry efforts in Yangon. A large part of that support went to fund the mission trip for 15 into the most western areas of Myanmar.

There are many success stories that could be shared, but the most touching for me was on the first day of the seminar in Mandalay. A young man took issue with something I said and we carried on a lively discussion through the aid of our translator (Philip). I worried—in this patriarchal culture—that I, a woman, might have offended the man with my straight-forward insistence on the truth. When the day finally came to a close, the man approached me and in broken English told me how much he’d learned from the teaching. Then he embraced me in a huge teddy-bear kind of hug.

How wonderful it is to know that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, slave nor free! We are one in Christ and have much to learn from each other.

If you’ve ever doubted the goodness of God or questioned why He would allow some of the dreadful things we see happening in the world today, you can certainly relate to the prophet Habak-kuk.

We often have the notion that it’s a fatal mistake to question God or to be frustrated with what He’s doing in our lives. The important issue is not how we feel but how we handle our feelings when we get to that point where we surmise God is not listening or that He simply doesn’t care. Do we become cynical and harden our hearts against Him? Do we turn to other forms of relief? Or can we be honest and take our doubts and misgivings directly to the Lord and lay it all out on the table before Him?

The prophet Habakkuk certainly was no stranger to questions. And the questions he asked of God are the same as many well-meaning Christians ask today. “Where are you, God, when the 14-year old shoots and kills the 13-year old in a gang disagreement?” “Why aren’t you protecting this little girl from her father’s abusive actions?” “How could you allow the pervert to do such cruel and awful things to that sweet little old lady who loves you so much?”

In the study of the book of Habakkuk, we’ll examine the prophet’s hard-hitting questions and God’s response. We’ll see how in the end all this is just more reason for Habakkuk to worship his Lord.

There is much to be learned from this three-chapter conversation between God and the prophet Habakkuk. Observing Habakkuk’s open and honest relationship with God serves as a model for our relationship with Him. Listening to God’s answers to Habakkuk’s profound questions helps us to grow in our faith and our trust of Him in the worst of situations.

Sign up now for the Winter class starting January 25th. Call 918-492-0945.

• Read Matthew 28:19-20, paying particlar attention to all the verbs (in any form) used in these two verse. List these verbs below.
• Now examine the verbs you listed above and determine which ones are an actual command from Jesus and which ones describe what you are to be doing as you obey the commands. List the “command” verbs here.
• Now we need to determine the verbs (participles) that tell us what we should be doing as we “go” and “make disciples.” List those verbs (participles) here.

The Greek word translated by the English “nations” is ethnos and refers to tribes, pagans, and specifically foreign people. You’ll need to use your imagination here. Jesus is dealing with a primarily Jewish audience. Who would the pagans and foreign people be to the Jews?

So then, in our world today, who would the pagans and foreign people be as far as you are concerned?

List names of specific people you know who would fit this description.

• Re-read v.19. What is the first word in this verse (NIV)?  What is the “therefore” there for? [HINT: v.18]
• Read Matthew 11:27 and John 3:35. How would you describe the authority that Jesus has?

So! In what kind of authority does Jesus send you out to witness to others about Him?

• What kind of confidence does this instill in you as you spread the Good News about His life and purpose?
• What is His promise to you as you go and make disciples?

     If you’ve ever found it difficult to determine exactly what Jesus is wanting you to see in a parable, come worship with us on Sunday mornings as we work our way through many of the parables in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

     In this Sunday morning class, you will learn straight-forward and simple principles that will aid you in interpreting parables on  your own.

  SonRisers at 8;  Bible 101 at 10:50.  Both meet in Room 2821  “At the Top of the Stairs”.  Use  South Entrance.

  2.  IMMEDIATE CONTEXT SHAPES INTERPRETATION.

• The situation giving rise to Jesus’ telling of the parable is relevant to its meaning.
• Jesus’ explanation of the meaning or any application He makes rules over anything else.
• When one of the above is not given, it is inferred from the other. 

  3.  A PARABLE HAS ONLY ONE CENTRAL POINT.  Having one central point of emphasis is the chief feature that distinguishes a parable from an allegory, which may have a number of significant parallels between the story and the spiritual teaching.  In the parable, we cannot treat each detail as having a spiritual application. 

 4.  RELEVANT DETAILS.  There are certain parts of the story that are essential to the making of the Central Point.  These details are intended to teach truth and therefore may be interpreted and applied. 

 5.  IRRELEVANT DETAILS.  A parable has many details that do not pertain to the Central Point and are not intended to teach truth at all.  No spiritual meaning can be attached to them. 

  6.  PARALLED AND CONTRASTING PASSAGES ADD VALUABLE INFORMATION.  Some parables are similar to one another and can be compared for additional teachings on the same subject.  (Example:  the five parables dealing with readiness for Christ’s return.)

  7.  PARABLES ARE NOT BASIS FOR DOCTRINE.  Parables may contribute to the understanding of doctrine, but only if caution is exercised.  Since parables often contain figurative language, other scripture must be examined for consistency before doctrine is formulated on the teaching from the parable.

     There are 3 parts to a parable:  (1) the reason for Jesus’ telling the parable; (2) the story itself; and (3) the explanation of the meaning of the parable, usually given in the form of an application.

      □   Read the passage Luke 11:5-8.  In your own words describe what the story is about.

      □  Read Luke 11:1-4.  According to these verses, what is the reason why Jesus tells the parable?  [Hint:  What did the disciples ask of Him?]

        □  Now we need to determine the explanation or application that Jesus gives for the parable.  Read Luke 11:9.   What does Jesus say they are supposed to do?

          The words that are translated by the English  “ask,” “seek,” and “knock” are in the Greek present tense.  This verb tense denotes an action performed in the present that continues into the future.  It is something that is repeated.  Based on the use of present tense in this verse, how should you understand Jesus’ imperative that we ask, seek and knock?

    □  Read Luke 18:1-8.  What was the reason given in v.1 for Jesus’ telling of this parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow?

     □  Read Luke 18:6-8 again.  How did Jesus tie the parable about the widow’s persistent request to the believer’s persistent prayer?

      □  Now let’s return to the parable of the friend who came at midnight.  Read Luke 11:11-13.   What additional teaching does Jesus give here concerning prayer?

      Through His own life-style, Jesus demonstrated the value of prayer and He made it clear in His teaching on the subject that we should be persistent in our requests.  Ask and keep on asking!

_ Read the passage Luke 18:1-8. In your own words describe the main idea of what this parable is about.

_ Read Luke 18:1 again. According to this verse, what is the reason why Jesus tells the parable?

If you didn’t state the reason in two parts above, write the second reason in the area below.

The usual teaching of this passage emphasizes the need for our being persistent in our praying. Jesus teaches the same principle in Luke 11:5-10, so let’s take a look at that passage:

_ Read 1 Luke 11:5-10. The words that are translated by the English “ask,” “seek,” and “knock” are in the Greek present tense. This verb tense denotes an action in the present that continues into the future. It is something that is repeated. Based on the verb tense, then how should you understand Jesus’ imperative that we ask, seek and knock?

That is exactly the same principle as the first reason He gave in the Luke 18 passage for giving the parable–that the disciples “always pray”; i.e., be persistent in their praying. Now let’s look at the second reason He gave:

_ Read Luke 18:4-5 again. What was the unjust judge’s response to the widow persistent requests?

_ Read Luke 18:6-8 again. How did Jesus tie the parable about the widow’s persistent request with the believer’s persistent prayer?

_ Read Luke 18:1 again. So when Jesus says “Don’t lose heart” when you are persistently praying, what does this mean to you? What do we know that we can count on?