Sharon RP Church

It is Christ's desire to recover and save all who are lost. This parable shows how ready He is to pardon our sins, as well as the obstinacy of those who murmur at God's compassion. The prodigal son lived an extravagant wasteful lifestyle – a life of madness and self-deception. But it is a sign of God's mercy to not leave prodigals in their backsliding. The son came to his change of mind by remembering the kindness of His Father. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. The older son was a picture of the self-righteous moralist who cannot bear the idea of sinners receiving mercy. Proud and self-righteous people resent the compassion of Christ, and think that obedience is only outward and not from the heart. Let us remember the Psalmist's prayer in Psalm 25: "Remember not the sins of my youth; remember me for Your goodness' sake, O Lord!"

A – What is this about? This passage traces the genealogy of Judah, highlighting God's covenant faithfulness across generations, leading from Judah to David despite human sin and failure. B – Best verse 1 Chronicles 2:15 – "...Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh." C – What are we called to do? Trust in God's faithfulness, recognize His work through imperfect people, and place our hope in Jesus as the fulfillment of His promises.

A – About: This passage traces the descendants of Abraham, showing how nations and kings emerged, especially highlighting the line that would eventually lead to a true and greater King. B – Best Verse: "Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the children of Israel." (1 Chronicles 1:43) C – Calling: Trust in Jesus Christ as the promised King, recognizing that all history points to Him and choosing to follow His reign in your life.

A – About: This passage concludes 1 Samuel with the سقوط of Saul. His disobedience, pride, and rejection of God lead to his death in battle, the loss of his sons, and national defeat. It reveals the failure of human leadership apart from God. B – Best Verse: 1 Samuel 31:4 — "Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it." C – Called to Do: Place your trust not in human leaders or earthly power, but in the perfect King. Live in faithful obedience, humility, and reverence before God, looking to Him as your ultimate authority and hope.

It is important that we call sin sin, but first we need to look in the mirror. When sinful humans suppress the truth and turn to idolatry, God's wrath is revealed on them by turning them over to do the things they love. Paul focuses in on all manner of sins here, leaving all people – without exception – under the scope of God's judgment. How many times do we find ourselves in these verses? Are we broken in our hearts for these sins in ourselves, just as much as we see them in others and call them out? Is there any hope for people who have been judged like this? Yes! Just as we were given up to our sinful desires, Jesus was given up for our justification. Now there is no condemnation for us, for our Savior is righteous and merciful to sinners like us!

A — What is this about? This passage reflects how David, while living among the Philistines to escape Saul, is unexpectedly prevented from fighting against Israel. God intervenes through the সন্দicions of the Philistine leaders, sparing David from a morally compromising situation. B — Best verse "Therefore, return now, and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines." (1 Samuel 29:7 NKJV) C — What are we called to do? We are called to trust God even in confusing and morally unclear situations, believing that He can guide and protect us from paths that could harm our witness or purpose.

There is something in our beings that desires to stand in awe of someone or something. We know that there is Someone greater than us, and we can't help knowing that there is a God. To those who refuse to acknowledge this, God's anger is revealed. When we refuse to worship Him and reverence Him, we rob Him of the glory due to His name. And as we do that, it is inevitable that we will start huring people, too. Suppression never stays abstract; it will always warp ourselves and our relationships. And when we suppress the truth about God, the void in our hearts will still be filled with something else instead; and it will always be a created thing or ourselves. What hope do we have? God's power is revealed in the Gospel; He saved sinners. In His Son, He has given us His perfect righteousness. How can we not love and serve the God who loves us so much?