Concordia Adult Bible Class

During this time of year, it’s not too tough for jealousy to take root. We see what gifts others are buying their families and we can be tempted to try to keep up, or to compare the gifts we receive with the gifts other receives. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul warns against comparison, instead encouraging contentment in Christ.

Christmas cookies are delicious! That is, unless the recipe gets messed up. I once had some Christmas cookies without sugar. Rather than being delicious, they were bitter. Sometimes, what is true of a messed up cookie can also be true of our messed up lives. We can become bitter. In this message, we discover how to overcome bitterness by the sweetness of God’s grace.

Daniel is persecuted by people who are jealous of him. They purposely set him up so that he will have to compromise his faith or risk being killed in a den of lions. Daniel does not compromise in his faith. As we watch instances of persecution around our world, how will we witness to our faith – no matter what?

King Belshazzar has taken holy things plundered from the temple in Jerusalem and used them for unholy purposes – for revelry. God judges Belshazzar’s immorality, however. When we are confronted with immorality, do we trust that God will get the final word of righteousness?

In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar sets up a giant golden idol. Three of Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have a choice: do they bow down to the king’s statue or do they stand up for what they believe. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand up for what they believe. When we are confronted, do we capitulate? Do we handle things passive aggressively? Or, do we stand?

In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that none of his wise men can interpret for him. Daniel offers to interpret the king’s dream, but before God reveals to Daniel its meaning! All Daniel can do is trust and pray that God will give him the wisdom that he needs. When things are uncertain in our lives, do we trust and pray that God will give us what we need?

In order to learn from mistakes, a coach will often have his team watch the tape of their last game. This way, they can study and learn how to do better next time. We too are to “watch God’s tape” – that is, God’s Word – so that we can understand our mistakes and serve our Lord well. As Joshua reminds us, we are to “be careful to do everything written in [God’s Word]” (Joshua 1:8). As we celebrate the Reformation, we are reminded to be people who read, mark, and inwardly digest God’s precious truth.

Professional teams live with salary caps. This way, one team cannot radically outspend another. We too live with salary caps. God has given us much, but He has not given us everything. Our challenge is to be generous with what God has given us not only when it feels good, but when it becomes hard.

A superstar may be good for a franchise’s bottom line, but it is rarely good for a team. Teams play together to lift each other up. As Christians, we are on Christ’s team. We must play together and serve each other. This is why one of the fundamental facets of Jesus’ ministry, as Jesus Himself describes it, is service. He has come to serve us. In the pattern of Jesus, we too are to serve others. Service teaches us humility and reminds us that what is most important is not found in our accomplishments, but in our selflessness.

When you’re on the field, you have tune out the roar of the crowd to focus on the game. When life roars at us, we need similar focus. This is why, when Job loses everything, his friends come to him not to speak, but to sit in silence with him. Silence allows us to listen to God and guards us from confusing God’s Word with our words. It also allows us to demonstrate, as Job’s friends do, empathy with someone – not explaining their pain, but being with them through their pain.