SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
YOUTH STS LESSON 164_ THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE
TEXT: John 14:1-15. MEMORY VERSE: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
The lesson today gives us a revelation of some of the cardinal doctrines of Christ. Among these are Christ's Second Coming, His divinity and the rapture. As Jesus approached the end of His earthly ministry, He intimated His disciples with facts of His betrayal, suffering and death. He revealed also the persecution that His disciples would face after His departure. The thought of being without their Master made them have troubled hearts. Then came His comforting words, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1). The text also presents Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life. In our lesson today, He disclosed to His disciples the secret of knowing the Father through Him by faith. Our relationship with the Father depends on our relationship with Jesus Christ. Furthermore, "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us" (John 14:8). Philip was seeking to get more explanation from Jesus. This stresses the need for youths to ask helpful questions at home, class and in the church.
Question 1: What is the importance of asking useful questions in the church?
"...Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?" (Acts 8:30,31). Christian youths should learn to ask thoughtful questions that could further deepen their relationship with God and love for spiritual things.
CHRIST'S HEAVENLY PREPARATION FOR SAINTS (John 14:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11; Psalm 46:1; 15:1-5; 24:3,4; Isaiah 35:8-10; Hebrews 12:14)
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1). Christ clearly revealed to His disciples how His ministry on earth will end. It was to be marked by His betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion. He further revealed the unavoidable trials and persecutions that His disciples would encounter later. All these made the disciples' hearts to be troubled and they were indeed sorrowful (John 16:22).
Question 2: What are some of the situations experienced by saved youths that cause their hearts to be troubled?
Christ did not promise His disciples, as well as saved youths, a world free from trouble. He said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Although in Christ there is peace, but believers still face persecutions and afflictions. Some believers are rejected by loved ones, isolated, ridiculed, ill-treated, denied legitimate rights and encounter failure for not compromising. Though these could be painful and cause bleeding hearts, the Lord says, "Let not your heart be troubled". These words of Jesus, who through personal experience knew the anguish of troubled spirit (John 11:33; 12:27), was desperately needed by His disciples and troubled youths today. To comfort the hearts of the disciples, He promised them a better place in the kingdom of God. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2,3). Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Only youths who have repented and forsaken their evil ways will inherit the mansions above.
Question 3(a): Is heaven meant for every youth?
(b): What qualifies a youth to have abode in heavenly mansions?
From the words of Jesus, it is clear that heaven cannot be possessed by everyone. Any youth who desires to live in heaven has to have clean hands (salvation) and a pure heart (sanctification). This reflects outward and inward purity. He must also walk uprightly with God daily. He must live a consistent Christian life. He should not be double-tongued and must not backbite or swear falsely. He must not do evil against his fellow youths or other people around him. His heart must be pure. He must follow peace and holiness with everyone, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrew 12:14). Heaven is inhabited by God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Ghost and the holy angels; nothing unclean can dwell there "And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return..." (Isaiah 35:8-10).
CHRIST: THE PATHWAY TO GOD'S ETERNAL KINGDOM (John 14:5-8; Isaiah 53:1-12; Colossians 1:13,14; John 6:27; 1:12; 3:17,18; Matthew 11:28-30; Revelation 3:20)
The question of Thomas during Christ message of comfort led to the revelation of another hidden truth. "Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Youths should be free to ask questions that could give light to their misunderstanding. They should not feel shy or be afraid of making mistakes. Jesus answered the question of Thomas and revealed eternal truth that He is the entrance into God's eternal kingdom. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Indeed, no one gets to God or into His kingdom except through Christ. He overcame the devil on the cross as well as sin and the flesh though he was tempted like other men. He also overcame the world and conquered death. For sinners who truly repent and accept Him as Lord and Saviour, His perfect sacrifice on the cross grants them entrance into God's kingdom. To have eternal life is to know the Father as the only true God and Jesus whom He has sent.
Question 4: What provision has God made for a sinning youth to have entrance into His kingdom?
"On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Jesus is the Way, the sacrificial Lamb which God has provided for sinning youths to enter into the Kingdom of God. He is the Truth, the One who represents God's infallible word and provides eternal life to all who come to Him in genuine repentance. He calls sinners today to repentance and access the Kingdom with a promise of forgiveness and pardon. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Mathew 11:28,29).
THE CHALLENGE TO KNOW CHRIST AS THE SAVIOUR (John 14:9-15; Hosea 6:1-3; Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 10:9-13; 2 Corinthians 4:13,14)
Knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour of your soul leads you to know God the Father. A youth who comes to church without knowing or receiving salvation through Jesus Christ cannot know the Father experientially. This was why Jesus challenged Philip: "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" (John 14:9).
Question 5: What steps should a sinner or backslider take to know Jesus as the Saviour?
To know the Lord Jesus as the Saviour, sinners must turn away from all their sins in repentance and receive Him by faith (John 14:10,11). The experience of salvation in Christ, which is the first work of grace, is by faith. Faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross at Calvary transforms our lives, character, conduct, future and destiny. Also, the power to live above sin comes by faith. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). When we know God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ by faith, we will enjoy His peace, purity, power, prudence, plan, purpose, prosperity, protection and preservation. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:12,13).
Question 6: What are the rewards of knowing and believing in the Lord?
When we know and believe on the Lord, we have access to all the resources in heaven. One, we will do exploits in our service for the Lord. Two, we will receive answers to our prayers. Three, with determination and hard work, we will have success in all our endeavours. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). We are fruitful and effective in soul- winning and the Father is glorified in our lives. There are examples of people in the Bible in whose lives these promises have been fulfilled. The shadow of Peter healed the sick (Acts 5:15) and the handkerchief from the body of Paul healed the sick. In our time, great and special miracles have been done through the ministry of our Pastor. In like manner, victorious Christian youths of today should seek the Lord and know His power to do exploit. "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Daniel 11:32).
