John 1:29-34 ²⁹The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ³¹I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

³²And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. ³³I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

God’s messenger finally declared out in the open, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.!” What an earth shaking declaration this was. One cannot help but wonder what the people were thinking as they heard this. Did they even really understand sin the way they should? Did they really think God loved the whole world; after all, He was Israel’s God.

Yet, the great news announced a reality that no one could ever take away. Whether the world recognized it or not, they had been given a Lamb to be sacrificed for their sin, and that lamb was Jesus, God’s word that took on flesh. This was going to happen even if some of them did not know the meaning of sin, what it was like to stand as a human being in the presence of a holy God. They were going to be given this special lamb whether they wanted him or not, whether they would accept God’s love gift or not.

Not only were they going to be given the Lamb of God, the Holy Spirit once more broke into history to make certain that the people of Israel could know that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, i.e., actually infuse the people of God with the Holy Spirit so their lives would be radically changed.

The testimony concerning Jesus was provided as the Holy Spirit descended from heaven like a dove to remain on Jesus. God did not want to take any chances lest people would fail to know who God’s love gift was. There was only one more step required for your salvation and mine. We have to invite Jesus to be our Savior and Lord who made it clear in Matt. 22:37_b what God expected in return: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ⁶But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

I was recently asked a question on tithing from someone who had read our web site: www.lessonsfromisrael.com. She wanted a better understanding of what this means for us as Christians.

This question seems to come up frequently amongst Christians. I have heard many variations on how much one should tithe. Some claim one must give 10% like the Old Testament requires. This is a good deal for a rich person because this leaves 90% of a huge salary while the poor may be just barely surviving.

I have heard others say that they can give to the Lord by doing something in the congregation. Of course, this is true since we are to give of our time, talents and money, but if everyone in the congregation were to give only their time, there would be no congregation or mission like ours due to unpaid pastors, bills, upkeep, supplies or utilities. God’s programs cost money to run in this world.

 The New Covenant (New Testament) approach is different than the Law found in the Old Testament. All of our giving of time, talent and money stems from our awareness of how much God in Christ has done for us. Godly giving flows from a deep love and gratitude to God for sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us, for giving us forgiveness we do not deserve and out of an appreciation for all the blessings our heavenly Father showers on us. True tithing is nothing more than a deep sense of love for God, a serious sense of responsibility in using what God has given us to build God’s kingdom here on earth while we wait for that final day when we will be called home to His eternal Kingdom.

If a person asked me, “How much do I have to give to the work of God’s kingdom?” my response is, “Don’t give anything. Tithing is only for those who have seen all that God has done for them. It is for Christians who love their God so much that they eagerly look for opportunities to spread the gospel, minister to the sick and sustain their congregation caring for our Lord’s Sheep.

In other words, true tithing is only for Christians who expect no returns other than the joy of serving their Lord whom they love. The poor usually are more generous than some wealthy people in my experience. The poor may not give huge sums of money because they can’t, but they give out of a generous heart that recognizes all that God has done for them–like the widow who gave what she had and drew our Lord’s praise.

Rev. James E. Hanson, Ex. Dir. Ministry of Hope

Eph. 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

I read an email from a young man who was in agony because he could not discover how one was saved. He saw his sins, but he failed to grasp that only Jesus is able to cover his sins with His purity alone. You and I will never be good enough to earn our salvation.

This is hard on human pride to be told that we cannot do anything on our own to become the sons or daughters that God wants. The truth is that as long as we live we are by nature sinful beings wrestling with anger, jealousy, pride, impatience, selfishness, etc. It is like Paul confessed in

Romans 7:14-19:

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Not even Paul could boast of the righteousness that God requires to be saved. He had to rely entirely on Jesus covering him with His purity and righteousness.Ironically, it is our sinful nature that resents this simple, honest truth. We want to be able to think, I have become a better person now so God is impressed with me. The truth is, that a Christian is ‘. . . someone who sins less and less but confesses more and more.” He is deeply aware of the old nature within him, but rushes constantly to Jesus for the mercy and righteousness we need. Paul attacks this pride in us when he writes,

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.Satan’s trick is to get people to look at themselves to see if they are finally good enough. He knows what the answer to this will be. “No!” Then, he counts on us becoming so discouraged that we finally give up trying to be a Christian. The truth is that Christians do give up the pride, but they boldly claim the promise of Jesus to provide the mercy and forgiveness they need. They boast of the purity of their Savior that covers them like a garment so that they can stand in the presence of a Holy God without fear knowing God only sees the purity of Jesus. It is as God’s Word promises in Galatians 3:27,

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. What a relief! It is the purity of Jesus alone. No wonder we love him so much that we offer him our heart, mind, soul and strength.

Only human beings have the foolish idea that one race or one color is better than other people. The Creator dearly loves all of His children the same regardless of color, size, physical fitness or nationality. Notice what God’s word has to say on this. . . But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, . . .

In other words, God would not turn any man, woman or child away because He does not love that person. We are told in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. It is obvious here that it matters little to God who you are because He wants all men and women to be saved.

There is only one reason why anyone will spend eternity in hell. This person turned his back on God’s love offer, inviting him to accept Jesus as his Savior and Lord. All, who want Jesus to be their Savior, discover that God is eager to transform you into an entirely different human being.

This does not mean anyone becomes perfect. Only Jesus is perfect, but it does mean that when a person realizes that he or she is a sinner in need of God’s mercy, that this mercy comes from putting one’s faith in Jesus as the Son of God, God’s Spirit enters into the heart of this person and transforms him/her into a child of God.

There is a reason why this offer is given only to those who believe in Jesus. God requires a perfect sacrifice to pay the price for the sins of mankind. He could only find one perfect person; his word took on flesh to become God/man so Jesus was sinless.

One more thing we need to grasp. Not only does God provide the sacrifice for us, but once we accept Jesus as the only pure sacrifice, God gives us power to become children of God. See how much God loves you?

Rev. James E. Hanson, Ex. Dir. Ministry of Hope

John 1:10-14He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

It is troubling to read these verses that pronounce judgment on the majority of human beings who refuse to recognize Jesus. They refuse to believe because of their arrogant, haughty hearts that insist that they have the right to decide what they want to believe. They know no true fear of the living God, their Creator. Many refuse to even recognize God as their maker and the one who provides for their daily needs. The truth is that the hardest object in all creation is the human heart. Only a miracle by God can transform someone into a new creation where faith abounds.

The primary problem Christians face when they seek to share God’s word with those who are not saved it this–human pride. People prefer the gods of their own making. The Bible gives us the clue we need to know who has a chance for salvation. God tells us through the Psalmist in chapter 147:6, The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.God willing you are reading this lesson because you are one of the humble ones, whose heart is open to God’s Word that took on flesh. You see the majesty and holiness of God. You know how unworthy you are and what it would be like to stand on the last day before the Holy One on judgment day so you recognize you have only one hope. You have to ask God’s Spirit to give you the faith you need along with a humble heart that will bow before the Almighty, claiming Jesus as your only hope for salvation. God promises to lift up the humble as He gives you the gift of faith, regeneration, sanctification, a new heart that seeks to obey God’s will in your life.

He knows you will never be perfect, but He hears your daily repentance that comes from a genuine horror or sin, and He splashes you with His grace, covering you with the perfection of Jesus so you can spend each day in the presence of the Holy One.

Prayer: Holy One, I know that I am an unworthy sinner in desperate need for Jesus to be my savior. I put my trust in Jesus Christ alone, and I beg you to fill my very being with your Holy Spirit who can bring me new birth that gives me a heart that is obedient to your will. Use me for your kingdom, Lord. Amen.

If you would like to know more about Ministry of Hope, go to www.ministryofhope.info. If you seek more lessons from God’s word, you may go to www.lessonsfromisrael.com or take advanced instruction from www.cincinnatilutheransalive.org.

Rev. James E. Hanson, Ex. Dir. MOH

2 Peter 2:20-22: For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,”and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

All of God’s children need to study this portion of Scripture God’s Spirit moved Peter to write. He is speaking of people who once knew the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ once again were sucked back into the world of darkness. Lest there be any doubt, Peter also talks of these people as having known the way of righteousness; it would have been better if they had never known it.

Just because we are vulnerable does not mean we have to be afraid. These people did not fall away due to God’s inability to keep them. They ignored the warnings that the Holy Spirit gave them. They began to live as if they had the power to do things on their own instead of relying on God’s word through faithful Bible study and worship.

God is capable of keeping us safe until the time He calls us home, but He never forces anyone to love Him. Love cannot be forced. The key to our eternal security is this. We never forget our vulnerability or the crafty ways of our enemy. We need to always rely on the grace of God to keep us true and steadfast. We are told in Ephesians 6:10-13, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of qvb://QVB/54002145/syncglossary/34998