Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-39
Memory Verse: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness: but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” —2 Peter 3:9
Introduction:
Since the first chapters of Genesis, God has displayed His desire to have a fellowship with man (Genesis 3:8-9, 4:9, 6:8, and 12:1-2). It has been His desire to create man in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27) and to have a special relationship with Him for all eternity. Adam’s sin interrupted that fellowship. This is why Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life and then died on the cross for our sins.
It is God’s desire for men to be saved, but He did not demand it. He did not decree that all men had to be saved, yet He wants all men to do so. But God knows that without a savior, mankind can never attain the perfection needed to fellowship with a holy God. God is perfect, He is without sin and cannot be tempted by it (James 1:13). Every person who has ever lived, (accept for the manifestation of God, in the flesh—Jesus Christ) has sinned and is therefore a sinner. All have come short of the Glory (perfection) of God.
On his own, man cannot achieve the perfection necessary to have fellowship with God. No matter how we deceive ourselves into thinking we can be good enough, we never can reach the mark on our own. Consider this illustration:
Suppose three friends were playing darts. they decided to have a contest to see who could hit the bullseye. The first tossed his dart and it stuck in the outer circle. The second threw his dart but missed the board all together. The third friend carefully took aim and when his dart hit the board it was half an inch from the bullseye. Which person hit the mark? No one. All of them came short of hitting the bullseye.
This is the way it is with humanity. Some people are better than others, but all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Even though one might be “better” than his or her peers, God judges all guilty in comparison to Himself—as He is holy, just and perfect.
Lesson Questions:
- What was God’s motivation? 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:4-5.
- Because of love and mercy, what did God do for those who trust in Jesus? Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:6-7.
- Does God desire men to be saved? Does man have a natural tendency to seek out salvation? Will all men be saved? 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 1:15; Luke 10:19; Romans 5:8; Matthew 23:37.
- Without a savior, why can’t man have a relationship with God? 1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 11:44-45; Hebrews 8:26.
- List why Jesus made the perfect intercessor. Hebrews 7:24-26.
- Are the attributes given to Jesus in the New Testament still the same today? Hebrews 13:8. Why is this important to know?
- Explain the lost condition of humanity. Romans 3:10-19.
- Is it possible to live a perfect life on our own? James 2:10; Romans 3:23.
- Once we have entered into the gift of salvation, what is our responsibility to God? Hebrews 10:38-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:14-15.