Nigeria Baptist Church Sunday School Manual For July 5, 2020 : Topic – WISDOM’S VINDICATION

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Nigeria Baptist Church Sunday School Manual For July 5, 2020 : Topic – WISDOM’S VINDICATION
THE NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
JULY 5, 2020

WISDOM’S VINDICATION
Devotional Reading: Matthew 10:1-14
Background Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 11:7-19
GOLDEN TEXT
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Matthew 11:19
Learning Primary Outcomes/Indicators
Learners will understand the facets of God’s wisdom and explore both practical and spiritual wisdom and indicate achievement of this by:
• Mentioning at least three Old Testament Scriptures that testify that Jesus is the Messiah;
• Studying the life of John the Baptist and discussing the significance of his ministry in his days;
• Making commitment to witness Christ as the Messiah and the wisdom of God through words and deeds.
INTRODUCTION
People often misunderstand the fact that the true identity of some highly respected personalities are not easily recognized by people, especially when they are judged by their appearance. A story was told of a professor who went to another university in another state as an external examiner to some final year students. On his arrival at the campus, he met and made inquiry from a young lady for direction to the university guesthouse, where he was to be lodged. Unfortunately, the lady sounded unfriendly. She was neither polite nor willing to direct the man probably because of his poor looking appearance. Few days later, the lady was shocked when she met face to face with the same man she did not treat politely, as her external examiner. If you were the professor, what would have been your assessment of the lady, based on her poor attitude towards you?
The lesson for today focuses on the ministry of John the Baptist, when he was rounding off. John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. His mission was to prepare the people of Israel for the coming of the long-awaited Messiah thus his message centered on repentance. Those who repented were baptized. However, towards the end of his ministry, he was imprisoned by Antipas, son of Herod the great. John expected Jesus to come to his rescue but Jesus’ reply reminded him of the real reasons he came to the world (Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1), which he was fulfilling. Jesus is the Messiah whose prediction was confirmed by some Old Testament prophets like Moses in Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2 and Zachariah 9:9.
THE LESSONS EXPLAINED
A. The True Identity of John the Baptist
Matthew 11:7-11
The character of John the Baptist, where he lived, his dressing, food and the messages of repentance he preached (Mark 1:1,6) made the people of his days to have different opinions about Him. Before Jesus’ public ministry, John was imprisoned but when he heard about the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ, he sent some of his disciples to inquire if He was truly the Messiah. Perhaps John felt that what Jesus was doing did not match what he had said about the One who would come after him (Matthew 3:7-12). Jesus’ answer indicates that the miracles were sufficient evidence of His messiahship. It means that Jesus expected John the Baptist to recognize His identity as the Messiah from the miracles He was performing. He, however, spoke about His true identity as more than a prophet. He said, “This is the one about whom it is written:” ’I will send my messenger ahead of you who will prepare your way before you.’ (v.10) Jesus further testified that none among humankind is greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him.
Jesus’ response to John through his disciples was an avenue to confirm the true identity of John, contrary to people’s view. He said John was not a reed swayed by the wind or a man dressed in fine clothes like people in the king’s palace. He affirmed that he is a prophet of God who ushered in the long-awaited Messiah with a specific message for the nation of Israel. Although, John saw Christ, he did not have the opportunity of preaching the total plan of God for the salvation of humankind after it was fulfilled. John died before the events that brought about the salvation of humankind. So he did not preach the gospel of salvation based on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, according to the New Testament. Nevertheless, his ministry cannot be undermined because many believed, confessed their sins and were baptized through it.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Discuss the relevant of John’s ministry. Is such ministry still relevant today?
2. John’s message was majorly on repentance probably because of the wickedness of the people of his time. What message do you think is appropriate for this present age?
B. The Nature of the Kingdom
Matthew 11:12-15
Jesus repeatedly describes the nature of the kingdom using various symbols and parables. Having explained the identity of John the Baptist, He revealed the characteristics of the kingdom. He said in verse 12, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it,” Although it is extremely difficult to identify the forceful men who took hold of the kingdom but the Bible commentators believe it was those who persecuted the Christian community. Interestingly, ever before John, the prophets and the Law had prophesied and those who believe their message know that John is the Elijah whose coming was long predicted (Malachi 4:5). Jesus concluded with a wise saying that those who have ears should listen. According to Matthew chapter 3, many people responded to the message of John as they confessed their sins and were baptized in River Jordan. In the days of Jesus, while some believed His message, other did not. But more importantly, they both preached the gospel message with zeal and power.
John’s ministry pointed the people to Jesus. Those who have eagerly waited for the promised Messiah received with great zeal the salvation of God through Jesus Christ. Since then until now, the kingdom has been forcefully advancing, even in the face of severe persecution like the days of John. He ministered with the Spirit and Power and that made him fit into the description of an earlier prophet – Elias or Elijah to which Jesus referred to as whose coming had been predicted (Micah 4:5-6). Jesus, however, emphasized that this revelation is not subject to arguments or debate, only people who have ears for the things of the Spirit can believe it.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Which group of people can be described as the violent men who have taken the kingdom of heaven forcefully today?
2. Did Jesus support reincarnation when he referred to John as the Elijah that was to come? V.14.
C. Wisdom vindicated by Her Deeds
Matthew 11:16-19
The people of John and Jesus’ days were peculiar in their ways. They posed resistance to the message of salvation as preached by them. This is confirmed in Jesus’ statement in verse 16 when He likened them to children who sit in the marketplace calling out to others saying, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.” (v. 17) The Jews acted like children as they refused to respond to the messages of repentance and salvation of John and Jesus Christ. The ministry of John was unique because he fasted and drank no wine, yet he was said to have demons. On the contrary, Jesus who ate and drank was criticized and nicknamed a glutton, a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But He declared that wisdom is proven right (vindicated) by her actions and to recognize what is fitting such as playing wedding music for a wedding confirm that wisdom is vindicated by her children.
The saying that human beings are difficult to please is clearly seen in this passage. John the Baptist lived in isolation and abstained from social life, yet the people called him a demon. The lifestyle of Jesus was the opposite – He was available to all, yet the people made excuses that He was a friend of sinners. Interestingly, He declared that by the testimonies of the mighty works of God through His ministry, the people will be convinced beyond doubts that He was the wisdom that God provided for the salvation of humankind. This declaration is confirmed by the multitude of people who sought Him for solution to their problems because they could not deny the miracles they witnessed.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What are the roles of miracles in the message of salvation?
2. Discuss how the Messiah fits into the description as possessing wisdom from God.
PRAYER POINTS
• Pray for forgiveness of the sin of undermining the servant of God because of their appearance or personality.
• Pray that God will prove Himself in your life and church through mighty miracles that will lead to the salvation of others.
• Ask God for divine wisdom to discern what is right and wrong at all times.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
• Agree on a particular day when class members will go on one-on-one evangelism, giving out tracts. They are to give report on Sunday next week.

TAKE HOME
• Servants of God have different personalities and styles of ministry.
• Christians should seek and apply divine wisdom as displayed in the life and work of Jesus.
• Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God.
• Believers have been called to the ministry of preaching and teaching the word of God
• No servant of God should be looked down upon for any reason.
• When God performs any miracle, it should lead humankind to Christ.
Nigeria Baptist Church Sunday School Manual For July 5, 2020 : Topic – WISDOM’S VINDICATION Nigeria Baptist Church Sunday School Manual For July 5, 2020 : Topic – WISDOM’S VINDICATION Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight) on July 05, 2020 Rating: 5

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