Sunday School Lesson for Jan. 23, 2011: Light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:1-7)

1 Peter 2:7
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”



Isaiah 49:6
6 he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”


“Do the right thing. Even if no one else will.” Have you ever heard this expression? Have you ever been in this position? Ever been in a real confrontation, where you had to be the lone voice for truth? How did that work out for you? We are called to be a ‘light’ to the unsaved. Sometimes, our best witness is our lives, our character, the way we carry ourselves, especially in the company of the unsaved, the un-churched. I’m not talking about the ‘upright’, uptight, super spiritual thing that some of us can fall into. I’m talking about making a quality decision in mixed company. Speaking the truth and standing your ground. There are any number of ways this occurs, but when we do it, people take notice. Imagine the school kid who doesn’t take the bait when tempted to make a poor choice. Imagine the shopper who calls it to the clerk’s attention if they are under charged for an item at a store. There are so many opportunities to do the wrong thing instead of right thing, but when we make a good choice, people notice. And when we make quality choices over an extended period of time, not only will others take notice, but they will testify to it. And when they testify to your witness, the Kingdom of God is proclaimed in them. They are ‘preaching’, if you will, the ‘Christ’ they see in you. We live in a time where many call attention to themselves, only to bring shame to themselves and to the Church when the spot light gets too revealing. All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. However, If we believers will carry ourselves with quietness and dignity, the people around us will take notice and sometimes, they will be affected toward the Kingdom for surely they will have seen ‘Christ’ in you.



Blessings,



.wb



1 Timothy 2:1-2
1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.