Lesson 377 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"  (Isaiah 55:6).

Notes

Worship

"O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." These words of the Psalmist show us what God wants all of us to do. He wants us to worship Him. The Lord created all things and all people. We were created by Him and for Him. We were created for His pleasure [COL:1:16]; [REV:4:11]). Another reason we were created is to worship God.

Many people do not worship, praise, or serve God. It has been said that all God's creation but man obeys the Lord, and each thing, in its own way, gives glory to God. The birds' songs are praises to God. The order, colour, and beauty of God's creation speak of His glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" [PS:19:1]).

Praise

In many places in the Psalms we are reminded to praise God. "Sing unto the LORD, bless his name" [PS:96:2]). "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise" [PS:98:4]). "Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God" [PS:147:1]). "Praise ye the LORD" [PS:148:1]; [PS:149:1]; [PS:150:1]). One cannot praise the Lord as he should unless he is saved.

We should praise God because He is "our maker." Every man, woman, and child should make the Lord his God. The Lord invites each and all to be "the people of his pastures, and the sheep of his hand." He invites each one to be saved and to follow Him.

The Shepherd

Jesus has been likened to the shepherd, and His followers likened to the sheep. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" [JHN:10:11]). The Lord knows His sheep, and calls each one by name [JHN:10:3]). When Jesus is our Shepherd, He leads the way for His sheep. "He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice" [JHN:10:4]). God's people are willing to follow and to be led where the Shepherd leads.

In the Twenty-third Psalm we are told where the Shepherd leads: "In green pastures," where the soul can feed on the best of food! "Beside the still waters," where the thirsty can be satisfied! The Good Shepherd leads His people to a place of rest and contentment. A sheep will not "Lie down" unless he has eaten, and is satisfied. A sheep will not drink unless the stream is smooth and quiet. Read all the Twenty-third Psalm to see how many blessings are in store for those who are saved, for those who can say, "The LORD is my shepherd."

The Lost Sheep

Jesus spoke a parable about the lost sheep. There were ninety-nine sheep safe at home but one sheep was lost. There should have been one more. The shepherd "goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray" [MAT:18:12]). "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing" [LUK:15:5]).

If you are not a Christian, you are the lost one whom the Shepherd is seeking. He is looking for you. He is seeking in "the mountains" where there is danger and cold. Do you hear Him calling your name?

The lost may not realise the danger they are in. They may not see Satan "as a roaring lion . . . seeking whom he may devour" [1PE:5:8]). Those who are not with God's flock keep going farther and farther away from the Lord. Like sheep who have gone astray, they are lured to other pastures where there may be poison weeds that they will eat. They may be enticed into places of danger where briers will hold them fast. But the Good Shepherd is seeking for them. He is listening for one little bleat, one little prayer! He will pick up the lost in His arms and carry them to the home sheepfold. There will be rejoicing because the lost have been found and are saved.

By Failing to Answer

When God calls, it is best to answer at once. He may not call again. He may not be passing your way again. The Prophet Isaiah said: "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near" [ISA:55:6]), as though there might be a time when the Lord is not near.

A man by the name of Felix, who was a governor, is an example of one who failed to answer God's call. When Paul was a prisoner because of his preaching, he stood before Felix to tell of his "faith in Christ." Paul reasoned with Felix of "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come." Felix began to tremble, for he must have been convicted of his sins. God was talking to him and calling for him, but Felix sent Paul away. He did not want to hear any more about salvation. He did not answer God's call. Felix said, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" [ACT:24:25]). But there is no account in the Bible of a time when Felix had another opportunity to be saved. There was no other "convenient season" for him. He did not call when the Lord was near. We are warned: "Harden not your heart" lest God be offended and not call again.

Judgment

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." God does not always send trouble and judgment immediately against those who sin. But that does not mean that God approves of the life they are living. Even though God lets a sinner go on until he does evil "an hundred times" it will not be well with him unless he turns from his evil ways and serves God. Even though the judgment of God has not yet come, there will be a time when it will come. "God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." There is a time for everything. But God's great plan for us is to be saved before the time of judgment, so that the penalty of sin will be paid with Jesus Blood. One does not know when the day of judgment will come. It may be before this day is over.

The Bible tells us that there is a "a time to be born, and a time to die." Each one of us has had his time to be born. However, it is not all of life to live nor all of death to die, "but after this the judgment" [HEB:9:27]).

Preparation

While one is living is the time to prepare for that judgment. In Ecclesiastes we read, "In the place where the tree falleth, there is shall be," meaning, if one is wicked when he dies, he will remain wicked. If one is saved when he dies, he will remain in that state. There will be no chance for a change. The wicked will be wicked when they stand before God to be judged. All their sins will be brought up and they will be judged according to the things they have done.

One does not need to dread he day of judgment or to fear to stand before God; his sins can be blotted out here and now [ACT:3:19]). When one repents and asks forgiveness of God, his sins are removed and remembered "no more" [PS:103:12]; [HEB:8:12]). Most people intend to be saved sometime but they postpone the day of their salvation. We read: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Their Opportunity

God talks to people and calls them to serve Him. He gives them all a chance to have their sins forgiven. Before the Lord sent judgment in the form of a flood upon the people of the earth, they had a chance to repent. God had dealt with men and women about their sins but they did not repent. Finally God said, "My spirit shall not always strive with man" [GEN:6:3]). But Noah "found grace" in the sight of God. The Lord told Noah what was to happen and how he could escape. Noah believed God and built the ark. Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" [2PE:2:5]) and must have told the people what God had said. Only Noah's family was spared. The others did not repent.

In the days of Abraham, God sent judgment upon the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham prayed for the deliverance of his nephew, Lot. He was spared because he believed and obeyed. Lot went to his sons-in-law and warned them that God was going to destroy the city. "But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law" [GEN:19:14]). They were destroyed because they did not believe and obey.

Salvation

When one's sins have been forgiven, the fear of God's judgment is gone; but that is not the only blessing. One who is saved is prepared to live, too. He can enjoy life with a clear conscience and an assurance that God is with him. He has peace in his heart, for he is right with God and makes things right with his fellow men, too. God gives strength, courage, and help to His people.

If you are not saved, pray and ask God to save you. This will be a happy day for you. This is the "accepted time" and can be the day of salvation for you. Do not wait any longer.

Questions

1. Why should one be saved?

2. Who can be saved?

3. Why should one not neglect to be saved?

4. When God calls, what should a person do?

5. How does God call a person to be saved?

6. What is the name of the man who thought he would have a more "convenient season"?

7. What does it mean that "now is the accepted time"?

8. It is appointed unto men once to die; and what comes after this?

9. Why should a person be saved while he is young?

10. What happens to a person who has neglected to be saved?