C.A.C Sunday School Manual For January 26, 2020, God in the Administration of Man Unit One: THROUGH THE PRIESTS/LESSON ONE.
C.A.C Sunday School Manual For January 26, 2020, God in the Administration of Man Unit One: THROUGH THE PRIESTS/LESSON ONE.
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH WORLDWIDE
God in the Administration of Man
Unit One: THROUGH THE PRIESTS/LESSON ONE.
God in the Administration of Man
Unit One: THROUGH THE PRIESTS/LESSON ONE.
January 26th, 2020.
GOD, THE OWNER AND ADMINISTRATOR
II. SATAN. THE THIEF AND USURPER (Genesis 3:15-20; Psalm 8:4-6; Revelation 12:1-10)
Satan is the devil, the enemy of God, the lord of evil, and the temper of man. He is Lucifer, the leader of the fallen angels. He has always been against God, His persons and things. He subtly came to steal and arrogate to himself the leadership role God graciously accorded man. How, and what is the way out?
Satan is the devil, the enemy of God, the lord of evil, and the temper of man. He is Lucifer, the leader of the fallen angels. He has always been against God, His persons and things. He subtly came to steal and arrogate to himself the leadership role God graciously accorded man. How, and what is the way out?
A. GOD GIVES MAN LEADERSHIP ROLE (Gen. 6:1-14; 12:1ff; Psa. 8:4-6)
What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (Ps. 8:4)
i. Satan had lost a unique position in the presence of God, before man was created, hence the jealousy and envy which man did not reconise.
ii. By the way, man was made a little lower than the angels, and yet God had chosen man above angels (who is man and what is man?)(Heb. 2:5-8).
iii. Whatever man has done which glorified God and becomes a blessing to mankind is enabled by God (thanks to God for man's education, creativity, sensitivity, discipline, etc.) God is at the foundation of every positive successful endeavours. He gave exclusive governance to man over what was older than he.
iv. He gave an uncommon assignment to Noah (Gen. 6:7-14),
He gave eternal inheritance to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-4, 17:1-8),
He gave an upper hand to Jacob (Gen. 25:19-27; 27:18-23),
He gave the throne to Solomon (2 Sam. 12:24,25) Son of Bathsheba? Matt. 1:6,
He gave opportunity to Jeroboam (1 Kg. 11:26-36). Was he from the royal family? v. 26,
He gave a ministry to Gideon (Judges 6:11-40),
He gave children to parents Moses, Samuel, John the Baptist, etc.,
As a pastor He puts you in charge of souls i.e. His flock.
v. What do you have that you have not received (James 1:17; 1 Cor. 4:7)?
vi. Man does not deserves anything from God. He was created last of all, yet was given dominion over all. No wonder the Psalmist exclaimed in Psa. 8:3 regarding such rare privilege. Always remember: whatever you are, or have today, is not by MERIT but by MERCY. No bragging!
What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (Ps. 8:4)
i. Satan had lost a unique position in the presence of God, before man was created, hence the jealousy and envy which man did not reconise.
ii. By the way, man was made a little lower than the angels, and yet God had chosen man above angels (who is man and what is man?)(Heb. 2:5-8).
iii. Whatever man has done which glorified God and becomes a blessing to mankind is enabled by God (thanks to God for man's education, creativity, sensitivity, discipline, etc.) God is at the foundation of every positive successful endeavours. He gave exclusive governance to man over what was older than he.
iv. He gave an uncommon assignment to Noah (Gen. 6:7-14),
He gave eternal inheritance to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-4, 17:1-8),
He gave an upper hand to Jacob (Gen. 25:19-27; 27:18-23),
He gave the throne to Solomon (2 Sam. 12:24,25) Son of Bathsheba? Matt. 1:6,
He gave opportunity to Jeroboam (1 Kg. 11:26-36). Was he from the royal family? v. 26,
He gave a ministry to Gideon (Judges 6:11-40),
He gave children to parents Moses, Samuel, John the Baptist, etc.,
As a pastor He puts you in charge of souls i.e. His flock.
v. What do you have that you have not received (James 1:17; 1 Cor. 4:7)?
vi. Man does not deserves anything from God. He was created last of all, yet was given dominion over all. No wonder the Psalmist exclaimed in Psa. 8:3 regarding such rare privilege. Always remember: whatever you are, or have today, is not by MERIT but by MERCY. No bragging!
B. SATAN USURPS THE LEADERSHIP ROLE (Gen. 3:1-24; Jn. 8:44; Rev. 12:1-9).
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Rev. 12:9).
i. The devil has so many names that reveal his true identity (Jhn. 8:44). Here, Jesus called him, the devil, a murderer, a liar, an untruthful one and the father of liars.
ii. Rev. 12:9 shows him as the devil, great dragon, old serpent, Satan, a deceiver and the accuser of our brethren. Each of these has evidences where he has acted as such. Do not underrate the devil
iii. He successfully manipulated Adam and Eve in the glorious Garden of Eden but God, the Creator, the Owner and the governor of all nations came, settled his people and silenced the devil (Gen. 3:20-24).
iv. As a thief and usurper, he came to Jesus, claiming Ownership of the World and its glory, and asking that Jesus Christ would just worship him. Who delivered it to the devil? (may be Adam and Eve) but not the Owner. Jesus put him right (Lk. 4:5-8; cf. Mat. 4:8-10).
v. Not satisfied with his failurea on Jesus Christ, as an usurper and a thief, he came again through one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ i.e. Peter (Matt. 16:23). Imagine the seriousness and sternness of the language of Jesus Christ against the devil in Mat. 4:10 and 16:23.
vi. Do not give the devil a chance (Eph. 4:27). Rebuke him (James 4:7), he is the greatest and oldest enemy of man (1 Pet. 5:8,19), though defeated, he still carries his wicked activities about, wherever he is allowed, despite the judgment that is on his neck, through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
vii. Unheeded instruction led to disobedience in the Garden of Eden which exposed man to unpalatable experiences. However, almost immediately, in the midst of judgment, the Scriptures followed (Gen. 3:15).
viii. God immediately took steps to clothe man, which needed "blood shedding" ---- a type of what would be done generally for mankind (Gen. 3:21). The role of the blood here cannot be overemphasised.
ix. Man can neither be lost nor separated from God forever. Jesus, in the Scripture, is referred to as a Lamb, slain before the foundation of the World (Rev. 13:8). John the Baptist confirmed this as he revealed the Saviour of the world (Jn. 1:29). Again, by His blood, we are saved and made to come nearer to God (Eph. 2:11-13; Col. 1:19).
x. To usurp is to seize something without right or use it without the right to do so. It is to take over something illegally. Satan subtly seized the leadership role accorded man and arrogated it to himself, but thank God, Jesus came to restore this to man. He who hides in Christ already has the devil under his feet (Rom. 16:20). What a great victory (1 Cor. 15:57)!
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Rev. 12:9).
i. The devil has so many names that reveal his true identity (Jhn. 8:44). Here, Jesus called him, the devil, a murderer, a liar, an untruthful one and the father of liars.
ii. Rev. 12:9 shows him as the devil, great dragon, old serpent, Satan, a deceiver and the accuser of our brethren. Each of these has evidences where he has acted as such. Do not underrate the devil
iii. He successfully manipulated Adam and Eve in the glorious Garden of Eden but God, the Creator, the Owner and the governor of all nations came, settled his people and silenced the devil (Gen. 3:20-24).
iv. As a thief and usurper, he came to Jesus, claiming Ownership of the World and its glory, and asking that Jesus Christ would just worship him. Who delivered it to the devil? (may be Adam and Eve) but not the Owner. Jesus put him right (Lk. 4:5-8; cf. Mat. 4:8-10).
v. Not satisfied with his failurea on Jesus Christ, as an usurper and a thief, he came again through one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ i.e. Peter (Matt. 16:23). Imagine the seriousness and sternness of the language of Jesus Christ against the devil in Mat. 4:10 and 16:23.
vi. Do not give the devil a chance (Eph. 4:27). Rebuke him (James 4:7), he is the greatest and oldest enemy of man (1 Pet. 5:8,19), though defeated, he still carries his wicked activities about, wherever he is allowed, despite the judgment that is on his neck, through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
vii. Unheeded instruction led to disobedience in the Garden of Eden which exposed man to unpalatable experiences. However, almost immediately, in the midst of judgment, the Scriptures followed (Gen. 3:15).
viii. God immediately took steps to clothe man, which needed "blood shedding" ---- a type of what would be done generally for mankind (Gen. 3:21). The role of the blood here cannot be overemphasised.
ix. Man can neither be lost nor separated from God forever. Jesus, in the Scripture, is referred to as a Lamb, slain before the foundation of the World (Rev. 13:8). John the Baptist confirmed this as he revealed the Saviour of the world (Jn. 1:29). Again, by His blood, we are saved and made to come nearer to God (Eph. 2:11-13; Col. 1:19).
x. To usurp is to seize something without right or use it without the right to do so. It is to take over something illegally. Satan subtly seized the leadership role accorded man and arrogated it to himself, but thank God, Jesus came to restore this to man. He who hides in Christ already has the devil under his feet (Rom. 16:20). What a great victory (1 Cor. 15:57)!
LESSON DERIVED
1. God is the giver of all things in life. Why? He is the Owner who entrusts, engages and gives room to man to act on His behalf. No wonder He gives and withdraws. Man therefore is accountable to Him for all he has been entrusted with.
2. Satan is a thief, a murderer, a liar and the father of liars. He has been like that, after all, his irreparable destiny is already settled. However, he should be resisted, rebuked and expelled wherever/whenever his subtle illegal presence is noticed. Result: He would flee in Jesus' name.
1. God is the giver of all things in life. Why? He is the Owner who entrusts, engages and gives room to man to act on His behalf. No wonder He gives and withdraws. Man therefore is accountable to Him for all he has been entrusted with.
2. Satan is a thief, a murderer, a liar and the father of liars. He has been like that, after all, his irreparable destiny is already settled. However, he should be resisted, rebuked and expelled wherever/whenever his subtle illegal presence is noticed. Result: He would flee in Jesus' name.
QUESTIONS
1. If God is the Owner of the Earth and Heavens, why do people think they can succeed, rule and exist without Him (Dan. 4:28-33)?
2. If Satan is as bad as this from the beginning, why has God spared him? Can we overcome him at all?
1. If God is the Owner of the Earth and Heavens, why do people think they can succeed, rule and exist without Him (Dan. 4:28-33)?
2. If Satan is as bad as this from the beginning, why has God spared him? Can we overcome him at all?
SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1:
i. Refer to section *1. Brief Comment.
ii. No controversy about God being the Owner of the Earth and Heavens (Psa. 24:1ff). It is also true, people think they can succeed, rule and exist without Him.
iii. It is stupidity for man to think that he can become or achieve anything without, or outside His Creator, God. Are we not talking of the same God who alone gives and can withhold promotion (Psa. 75:4ff)?
iv. The foolishness of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:28-33) really comes to mind here.
v. People do such stupidity because of ignorance. When one doesn't know or understand the worth of somebody or something, one tends to abuse or disregard the person or thing. This can happen to a man in relation to God. This is pardonable to an appreciable extent (cf. Acts. 17:30). May people in this category see the light of God's gospel through our Lord Jesus Christ, and may we be instrumental to this happening.
vi. Another reason for this is pride, i.e. deliberately ignoring and maligning the Person of God (Psa. 14:1ff; 53:1ff). Nebuchadnezzar's problem was pride. He arrogated the glory of God to himself. His experience is better imagined than experienced.
vii. The most important reason is that when a man has not experienced the salvation and sanctification Jesus brings to man, he cannot show the right attitude to the things of God.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1:
i. Refer to section *1. Brief Comment.
ii. No controversy about God being the Owner of the Earth and Heavens (Psa. 24:1ff). It is also true, people think they can succeed, rule and exist without Him.
iii. It is stupidity for man to think that he can become or achieve anything without, or outside His Creator, God. Are we not talking of the same God who alone gives and can withhold promotion (Psa. 75:4ff)?
iv. The foolishness of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:28-33) really comes to mind here.
v. People do such stupidity because of ignorance. When one doesn't know or understand the worth of somebody or something, one tends to abuse or disregard the person or thing. This can happen to a man in relation to God. This is pardonable to an appreciable extent (cf. Acts. 17:30). May people in this category see the light of God's gospel through our Lord Jesus Christ, and may we be instrumental to this happening.
vi. Another reason for this is pride, i.e. deliberately ignoring and maligning the Person of God (Psa. 14:1ff; 53:1ff). Nebuchadnezzar's problem was pride. He arrogated the glory of God to himself. His experience is better imagined than experienced.
vii. The most important reason is that when a man has not experienced the salvation and sanctification Jesus brings to man, he cannot show the right attitude to the things of God.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2:
i. If Satan is as bad as this from the beginning; why has God spared him?
ii. This is a question a lot of people have been asking. It has generated a lot of heat among Bible scholars, for instance, in the discussion of the Problem of Evil.
iii. Why would God spare such a creature? Who, from the beginning; had the effrontery to rebel against Him (Isa. 14:12ff; Ezk. 28:1ff; Rev. 12:11ff)?
iv. He is in heaven doing what pleases Him, in line with His redemptive purpose (Psa. 115:3).
v. He would only have allowed such, if it would be of benefit to the redemption and salvation of man, immediately and ultimately (cf. Rom. 8:28). Don't forget that Satan was eventually instrumental in the all-important bruising of the Messiah's heel that would settle man's redemption.
vi. Whatever Satan thinks he does, has always, in a way, or the other, been used by God to accomplish His own purpose for His people. Is it not logical, then, to say that, even Satan, is God's servant in some ways?
i. If Satan is as bad as this from the beginning; why has God spared him?
ii. This is a question a lot of people have been asking. It has generated a lot of heat among Bible scholars, for instance, in the discussion of the Problem of Evil.
iii. Why would God spare such a creature? Who, from the beginning; had the effrontery to rebel against Him (Isa. 14:12ff; Ezk. 28:1ff; Rev. 12:11ff)?
iv. He is in heaven doing what pleases Him, in line with His redemptive purpose (Psa. 115:3).
v. He would only have allowed such, if it would be of benefit to the redemption and salvation of man, immediately and ultimately (cf. Rom. 8:28). Don't forget that Satan was eventually instrumental in the all-important bruising of the Messiah's heel that would settle man's redemption.
vi. Whatever Satan thinks he does, has always, in a way, or the other, been used by God to accomplish His own purpose for His people. Is it not logical, then, to say that, even Satan, is God's servant in some ways?
Can we overcome him at all?
i. Yes, of course!
ii. By the atoning life and death of Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).
iii. Jesus has put the devil under our feet, if we align with Him (Rom. 16:20).
iii. Satan is a defeated foe who shouldn't be feared for any reasons (cf. Col. 2:14ff). He can only continue to deal with those who have chosen not to follow Christ.
i. Yes, of course!
ii. By the atoning life and death of Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).
iii. Jesus has put the devil under our feet, if we align with Him (Rom. 16:20).
iii. Satan is a defeated foe who shouldn't be feared for any reasons (cf. Col. 2:14ff). He can only continue to deal with those who have chosen not to follow Christ.
LIFE APPLICATION
It was once said of some youths who were about going out on picnic. Their mother told them, "Go with Jesus on your picnic." One of the guys answered, "There is no place for Jesus in this car, except in the boot." They took off, but before they got to the venue, they had a terrible accident. Sadly, the vehicle was a 'write off', but surprisingly, only the boot was miraculously preserved with its content, including a cat. Is it not logical to conclude that the cat was unhurt because Jesus has been 'relegate' to the boot by the occupants of the car? This is indeed, one of the benefits of acknowledged His lordship. They weren't as wise as those disciples of Jesus who had Him in the boat the day the storm rose on the sea. Your attitude to the sovereignty of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, determines how glorious your life would be, now and in eternity.
CONCLUSION
This is the first lesson in this series. It has introduced us to what God has for us in the series. It has introduced God to us as the Owner and Lord of the universe. Those who accept Him, would enjoy the benefits of not being dominated by the devil and his agents, sin inclusive. As we continue in this series, let us have it in mind that, the Governor of all nations must be forever worshipped in the right way. May we not fail in this! Amen.
This is the first lesson in this series. It has introduced us to what God has for us in the series. It has introduced God to us as the Owner and Lord of the universe. Those who accept Him, would enjoy the benefits of not being dominated by the devil and his agents, sin inclusive. As we continue in this series, let us have it in mind that, the Governor of all nations must be forever worshipped in the right way. May we not fail in this! Amen.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS FOR WEEK TWO
Mon. 20: Satan, The Thief (Lk. 4:6; Jn. 10:10)
Tue. 21: Satan is a Murderer (Jn. 8:44)
Wed. 22: Satan, The Author of Evils (Mat. 9:33)
Thur. 23: Satan, The Sower of Misfortunes (Mat. 13:39)
Fri. 24: Satan is Permanently Doomed (Rev. 20:7-10)
Sat. 25: Satan should be Resisted (Eph. 4:7, Jam. 4:27)
Mon. 20: Satan, The Thief (Lk. 4:6; Jn. 10:10)
Tue. 21: Satan is a Murderer (Jn. 8:44)
Wed. 22: Satan, The Author of Evils (Mat. 9:33)
Thur. 23: Satan, The Sower of Misfortunes (Mat. 13:39)
Fri. 24: Satan is Permanently Doomed (Rev. 20:7-10)
Sat. 25: Satan should be Resisted (Eph. 4:7, Jam. 4:27)
C.A.C Sunday School Manual For January 26, 2020, God in the Administration of Man Unit One: THROUGH THE PRIESTS/LESSON ONE.
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January 26, 2020
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Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight)
on
January 26, 2020
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