The Christian Message

Commentary on Romans 2:1-2 Romans 2:1-2 (NIV) "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." "Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth." In Romans 2, the apostle Paul turns his attention to the self-righteous, particularly those who might believe that because they are not engaged in the same sinful behaviors as others, they are exempt from judgment. Paul addresses those who are quick to pass judgment on others but fail to recognize that they are guilty of similar or even the same offenses. Verse 1: Paul begins by warning the self-righteous that they have no excuse for their judgmental attitudes. The key point is that when someone judges another, they are essentially condemning themselves, because they too are guilty of the same sins. Paul stresses that human judgment is flawed, as ...

  Salvation Prepared for All People   Lesson Text: Luke 2:25-38  Related Scriptures: Leviticus 12:1-8; Luke 1:57-80; 2:1-21  TIME: 6 or 5 B.C. PLACE: temple in Jerusalem  GOLDEN TEXT—“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people” (Luke 2:30-31).  Introduction  Consolation and redemption were things godly people—people like Simeon (Luke 2:25) and Anna the prophetess (vs. 38)—waited for in Jesus’ time. Creation groans along with its creatures, awaiting redemption (Rom. 8:20-23). People and the world itself will be healed on the day of God’s promises. The prophets of Israel spoke about it. Jesus called it the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, and eternal life.  Some people resisted the many distortions of biblical faith in the days of Simeon and Anna. Many believed the right promises and practiced the right faith. Those who did, then as now, had peace even in troubled times. Religion in our time i...

  God’s Messiah Is Born  (Christmas)  Lesson Text: Matthew 1:18-25  Related Scriptures: Isaiah 7:10-16; John 1:1-14; I John 4:9-14  TIME: 6 or 5 B.C. PLACE: Nazareth  GOLDEN TEXT—“She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  Introduction  When Zacharias’s ability to speak returned to him following the birth of his son, John, he broke into a hymn of praise. In that hymn, he expressed joy over the fact that God was finally bringing deliverance to His people. While he might have considered this in the context of political deliverance of Israel from Roman domination, Zacharias also recognized the salvific and atoning work that would soon come (Luke 1:77).  The predominant expectation among the Jews was political, which caused many of them to miss the greater meaning of the coming of Jesus.  God cannot lie and will accomplish everything He has promised. When Jo...

  LESSON 3 DECEMBER 15, 2024  SCRIPTURE LESSON TEXT  LUKE 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;  40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.  41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.  43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.  45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.  46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  48 For he hath regarded the low esta...