Praise God for Creation

                                                                      Sunday School Lesson


Introduction: Mother Nature is not God’s wife, but creation is God’s gift. It is therefore obvious that God’s people praise him for that gift. And it is right to start that praise on the first day of a new year. Creation arose from the character and power of God and finds its foundation in his identity. When we study creation we are studying the Creator. Our five lessons in January (all from the book of Psalms) call God’s people to praise him for his creation, sovereignty, steadfast love, and provision. It is important that we learn the “tunes” (i.e. content) of these psalms. Today’s Psalm 33 is one of the many that praise God for his creation. The verses beyond our printed text (Psalm 33:10-22) celebrate God’s sovereignty and our response to it in eager waiting. But first comes the music.

The Musicians & the Music 
 Psalm 33:1-3, 8 KJV

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

The musicians are identified in verses 1 and 8. First God’s people (the righteous and upright—notice the parallelism) are called to sing joyfully and to praise him. If God’s people do not sing, then who will teach the world the song of God? Later all the earth and all the people of the world will join God’s people in praise. Part of our primal reality as created beings (whether part of the covenant community or not) is to praise our Creator for his creation. The music is identified in verses 2 and 3. Instruments, content, excellence, and volume are all part of this music of creation. The harp and lyre are the instruments. The content is new. (This will be developed in next week’s lesson.) Excellence is part of playing skillfully. (A friend of mine used to say, “Holy shoddy is still shoddy.”) Finally the volume is loud. Heaven may well be a noisy place. Keep in mind how rather quiet the ancient world really was. There were no jets flying overhead and no 18-wheelers going down the highway. The musicians were everyone, and the music was loud.

The Maestro 

 Psalm 33:4, 5 KJV

4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.

5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

The conductor of the orchestra is the one who brings all the musicians and the music together. Our cosmic maestro can lead the choir of creation because of his impeccable character. Wonderful qualities of the God of creation are underlined in these two verses. He is right, righteous, and just. These are synonymous for the most part. God conforms to his own standard. He is true in himself and to himself. In addition to this, God is faithful. Simply put, he does what he says he will do. His yes really is yes, and his no really is no. But all of his rightness and faithfulness are wrapped up in his unfailing love. It is love that makes him do the right thing. It is love that demands that he keep his word. It is love that balances his truth. This maestro can lead the chorus of heaven’s music because he has placed his humble love within the created order.

The Music Hall 

 Psalm 33:6, 7, 9KJV

6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

The greatest concert hall in the world is the world. God made it, and his praise fills it. The word of the Lord and the breath of his mouth are parallel. God’s voice—his spoken word (see Psalm 29) and his Spirit (breath)—act like two hands in shaping creation into existence. The highest heavens (Paul talked about at least three heavens in 2 Corinthians 12:2) were the products of his word. The atmosphere (starry host—angelic armies or stars) were products of his Spirit. Psalm 33:9 affirms that this great music hall was spoken into existence and commanded to be from God himself. The music hall is large, but the one who made it is larger still. In fact, this Creator can put the waters of the sea into jars and he can put the deep waters into storehouses. The creation is impressive, but the Creator is even more impressive. And this is not just poetry. The New Testament affirms these truths in plain speech. Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15). Christ “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3, English Standard Version). “The universe was formed at God’s command, so that what was seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrew 11:3). A lucid moon, a brilliant sunset, a snowcapped mountain, a fertile valley, an abundant field, and a roaring river all praise God for his creation. Let us join them.

The Savior Has Arrived

                                                                                  Sunday School Lesson

Introduction: The Savior has arrived.” That is quite a headline. Big news. Make no mistake—this is a big day for the church. Joni Eareckson Tada said, “If God can become man, then everything else is easy.” Paul Scherer, who taught homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary, said, “God came walking down the stairs of heaven with a baby in his arms.” The story of the incarnation of the Son of God is something to sing about and something to talk about. Luke’s account of the story never gets old. The world was watching Rome because that was the significant place (Luke 2:1). But our story takes place in Bethlehem (v. 4). The world was looking to world-class people (vv. 1, 2). But our story focuses on a young couple from Galilee and some ragamuffin shepherds (vv. 4, 5, 8). The world was expecting a big event (a census and taxation—v. 1). But our story concerns the birth of a baby (v. 7). God had his own way to fill ordinary places, people, and events so that they became extraordinary.

Angels from on High

 Luke 2:8-14KJV

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). They do God’s bidding in the highest heaven. But at Christmas they stooped low and gave the Christmas message to lowly shepherds. The Bible has a love/hate relationship with shepherds. On the one hand, they were despised—at least by the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). On the other hand God is likened to a shepherd (Genesis 48:15:15; Psalm 23:1). A mark of God’s grace is that he gave lowly shepherds the first glimpse into Christmas. A visit to Bethlehem today will involve a trip to the Shepherd’s Field. Our Catholic friends have beautified the area with an attractive church building and gorgeous gardens. But originally the Shepherd’s Field was a series of caves where the shepherds stayed. They weren’t allowed in the temple area because they always smelled like sheep. Yet the shepherds were necessary because they cared for the flocks—some of which were used for temple sacrifice. All of a sudden their peaceful evening was broken by the appearance of an angel of the Lord. Because the angel had come from the presence of the Lord, he shone with the glory (shining brilliance) of God. Obviously the appearance of this divine visitor terrified the shepherds (literally made them “fear a great fear”). This special heavenly messenger calmed their fears and proceeded to announce good news. The news would bring joy and would be for all the people. The time was announced: today. The place was announced: the town of David. The person was announced: a Savior . . . Messiah . . . Lord. So that there would be no mistakes in finding this newborn Savior, the angel gave the shepherds a sign (a miracle that points to a greater spiritual reality beyond itself). Most babies in those days were wrapped in strips of cloths. But this baby would be lying in a manger. Now that is odd. His earthly bed/home says something about his humility. The angel was then joined with an angelic army which proceeded to sing (technically “say”) Heaven’s music. Glory in heaven is the first verse, and peace on earth is the second verse.

Shepherds Working Here Below

 Luke 2:15-20KJV

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The shepherds were not naïve, but they were curious. They debriefed the angelic visit and set off for Bethlehem. They wanted to see this thing (literally, this “word”) which the Lord had told them about. Upon arriving at Bethlehem (house of bread) they found the holy family—probably by asking around if there had been any children born within the last few hours. They saw Jesus and spread the word (made known the word that had been spoken to them) about what they had learned—from the angels but maybe also from Mary and Joseph. Three responses end this beautiful part of the Christmas story. Everyone who heard was amazed (marveled). Christmas is actually quite shocking. In contrast to the crowd we read about Mary, who quietly treasured (kept all things with respect to herself) and pondered (threw the word around in her heart). The melody that the angels sang hung on in the heads of the shepherds. They glorified and praised God. Shepherds were typically excluded from big events. They usually just watched sheep. But on this special night they were included in the wide embrace of God. If Christmas says anything, it says that the Savior has arrived for everyone.

God Promises a Savior

                                                             Sunday School Lesson



Introduction: One thing that we can take to the bank is that God always keeps his word. He does not make a promise and then fail to keep it, and God could not have made a greater promise to the world than the promise of sending a Savior. During this Christmas season we are studying Luke 1, 2. The chapters are filled with joy, celebration, song, intrigue, mystery, miracle, and promise.


The Promise Delivered
 Luke 1:26-28KJV

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Following the formal introduction of Luke’s Gospel (1:1-4) Zechariah and Elizabeth were informed of the birth of their son, John, who would be the forerunner of the Messiah (Luke 1:5-25). Gabriel (only one of two named angels in the Bible) delivered the promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Soon Elizabeth, who was old and barren, was pregnant. Six months later Gabriel was on the move again. God dispatched Gabriel to Nazareth (now a sprawling city, but then a small town on a Galilean hill, see John 1:46). Two sites are identified as the possible places where this took place. One is the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation, located in the heart of Nazareth; the other is the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, located in another part of Nazareth near a well. The promise was delivered to a young girl (a virgin) named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph. It is no accident that God chose this engaged couple to be the earthly parents of Jesus. In his life Joseph demonstrated the two great qualities of Jesus’ cross—justice and mercy (Matthew 2:19-21), and in her life Mary demonstrated the two great qualities of Jesus’ ministry—servanthood and humility (Luke 1:38). Gabriel greeted Mary, said she was highly favored by God, and reminded her that God was with her (a promise given to many others in the Bible, such as Joshua 1:5).

The Promise Questioned

 Luke 1:29-34KJV

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

After such a stunning announcement, Mary was greatly troubled (deeply confused) at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Gabriel reassured Mary with common angelic words of comfort, Do not be afraid. Gabriel affirmed Mary: You have found favor with God. Then Gabriel packed several promises into the overall promise of a Savior: 1—Mary would conceive. 2—Mary would give birth. 3—Mary would name the baby Jesus. 4—Jesus would have God’s title (Son of the Most High). 5—Jesus would occupy King David’s throne. 6—Jesus would reign over Israel (Jacob’s descendants), filled with all kinds of people. 7—Jesus’ kingdom would never end. No doubt Mary was dumbfounded. She could have chosen any interrogative, but the one that made the best sense, “How?” Virgins don’t conceive and therefore all the other promises were at risk. There is a difference between Zechariah’s “how” (Luke 1:18) and Mary’s “how.” Zechariah’s how is one of unbelief. Mary’s how is one of details.

The Promise Embraced

 Luke 1:35-38KJV

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Feigned faith brings judgment (1:20). But honest faith brings explanation (Acts 9:1-19). Gabriel explained to Mary how the process of the virgin birth would work. The person of the Holy Spirit will come on you. This is the language of empowerment in the Bible. When the Spirit of God came on people, they were able to act supernaturally (Judges 14:19). Also the power of the Most High will overshadow you. This is the language of creation in the Bible (Genesis 1:2). We are not suggesting Jesus was created. But God is doing something new as he enacts his promise for a Savior. This process protects the Son’s holiness and deity. Mary was informed of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. This must have made Mary raise an eyebrow. But the angel Gabriel gave the sermonic word, For no word from God will ever fail. This is actually based in Genesis 18:14 when the angel of the Lord told Abraham that Sarah would bear Isaac. God’s power in bringing fruit from barren wombs has a great track record in the Bible. Mary’s embrace of this promise is applicable to us. She placed her whole life in God’s hands by saying, I am the Lord’s servant (slave) . . . May your (spoken) word to me be fulfilled. She may not have known all the details of this epoch event to come, but she trusted in the one who promised (Hebrews 11:11).