Lesson 4 Discover God's Relentless Love and Commit to Living in a Right Relationship with God

Lesson 4

Hosea 3:1-5
Deuteronomy 7:7-8
Ephesians 3:18-19

• What is a contract? What is a covenant?

• Child Sacrifice

" 'Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.' " Leviticus 18:21

The Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire as sacrifices to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. 2 Kings 17:31

36 The Lord said to me: "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront them with their detestable practices, 37 for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them. 38 They have also done this to me: At the same time they defiled my sanctuary and desecrated my Sabbaths. Ezekiel 23:36-38

Could sacrificing children be an evil counterfeit of John 3:16? "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

• How do you see God's love?

God's love is a thought pattern. God's love is right is front of us. It is finding things we have lost. God"s love is shown in other people when they help you.

• Why does God love us?

God wants our fellowship. God uses people to do his work. We share God's love with others.

• But

We can't be obedient if we do not know the rules. The rules are in the Bible.

• In what ways are we cheating on God?

We give excuses. We don't dare to try something new. We worry about being equipped. God wants us to volunteer. God will equip us to meet the challenges we will face.
I can do all things in Christ.

10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-12

5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:5-7

David Wilkerson in the book The Cross and the Switchblade describes how he served as pastor in small churches in Scottdale and Philipsburg, Pennsylvania until he saw a photograph in Life Magazine in 1957 of seven New York City teenagers charged with murder. He later wrote that, as he felt the Holy Ghost move him with compassion, he was drawn to go to New York in February 1958. It was then that he began his Teen Challenge, a street ministry to underprivileged inner-city youth.

Here are some David Wilkerson Quotes.

As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises.

Eighteen years ago, the Holy Spirit led me to establish a church in the heart of Times Square.

How quickly we forget God's great deliverances in our lives. How easily we take for granted the miracles he performed in our past.

I believe in walking in the Spirit.

Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do.

• What takes us away from God's duties?

Our class responded with:
We know but do not believe. We all have lessons to teach. Power, drugs, alcohol, greed, pride, sex, all lure people away from God's duties.

We ended the class with the last words of Jesus on the Cross.

• The Sayings of Jesus on the Cross

The seven sayings form part of a Christian meditation that is often used during Lent, Holy Week, and Good Friday. The traditional order of the sayings is:

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).
2. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).
3. Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27).
4. Eli Eli lema sabachthani? ("My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?", Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).
5. I thirst (John 19:28).
6. It is finished (John 19:30).
7. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46).