TOPIC: CHRIST, OUR ETERNAL REFUGE [Church of God Mission International] CGMi ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 7 November 2021
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CGMi ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE SUNDAY 7th November, 2021.
TOPIC: CHRIST, OUR ETERNAL REFUGE
TEXT Psalm 46:1-7; 91:1-16, Luke 1:68-75
HYMN S. S. & S. 513 “O God, Our help in ages Past”
CENTRAL THOUGHT: Eternal refuge is only in Chris Jesus.
INTRODUCTION:
A refuge is a shelter or protection
from danger or distress, a hiding place
for safety and security during a period of
trouble, crisis or war. When Christ is our
refuge, our faith is in Christ, and in nothing
or nobody else, to keep us safe from the
devil and his wiles, in the midst of whatever
danger, distress or battle we face in our
daily lives or in the world around us. In
this study, we will look up to the LORD to
show us the futility of trust in anyone or
anything else and how to go about ensuring
that our trust is in Christ always.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
- To understand what men commonly put their trust in;
- understand how God was a refuge to Israel;
- understand how we can qualify to enjoy Christ as our refuge; and
- understand how Christ is our refuge and how this applies in the practicalities of life.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHAT DO MEN COMMONLY PUT THEIR TRUST IN, FOR SAFETY?
(a.) “Chariots and horses”
(Psalm 20:7, Psalm 44:6, Isaiah 31:1)
Chariots and horses represent the arsenals that men make for war. Symbolically, they
represent the measures we put in place to protect us from crisis or storms of different
kinds. In this context, alarm systems on cars and houses, strong and high fences, private
security, vigilante or official police or military escorts fall into this category for personal
protection. The Bible states that except the Lord watches over the house those that do
so, do it in vain. Having chariots and horses is not misplaced, but we must realize that they are limited and not full proof. Our trust must be in the Lord.
(b.) Wealth and riches. (Psalm
52:7, Proverbs 11:28)
Wealth represent the things of value that we have accumulated and may be in the
economic, professional or church spheres. This would include physical wealth,
academic degrees, spiritual gifts, titles or positions. Wealth and riches can give us
a false sense of security. There are people who believe that with their money, they can buy their way out of any difficulty or crisis. Unfortunately, not only can the value of wealth
rapidly diminish in hours or days during an economic crisis, individuals in war torn
countries often run for their lives and abandon their wealth. And many times,
wealth cannot buy cures to medical illnesses. A recent example is the large number
of the wealthy that succumbed to the Corona virus pandemic both locally and
internationally. Wealth and riches can be a blessing from the Lord but we must not put
our trust in the gift but in the Giver.
Also Read: Open Heaven 7 November 2021 – Topic: YE SHALL DECREE A THING!
(c.) Men and Princes (Psalm 118:8-9, Psalm 146:3, Jeremiah 17:5)
Being in the corridors of power or a close acquaintance of highly placed persons in the
political, economic and religious circles can give us a false sense of security for the
future. It can give us a false guarantee that we will make rapid progress in our careers
whether in public service or religious circles. People make all the effort possible to get to
such “favoured positions”. This may involve
compromising our faith and beliefs. God may guide our lives to points where we have
close relationships with those in the corridors of power and use them to elevate us as in the
case of Moses, Joseph and Daniel.
(d.) Religious symbols and places (1 Samuel 4:1-4, Jeremiah 7:4)
We see two accounts of periods when Israel walked in disobedience to God but expected Him to protect them as usual because they carried the Ark of the covenant to the
war front or because of the temple of the Lord. Some Christians put their trust in an
overseer, the picture of the Overseer or their pastor hanging in their homes, beds
or cars, an artist’s impression of Jesus, the Bible under their pillow, the sticker with a man
of God’s declaration, the anointing oil, a mantle etc. This is idolatry and denotes
falling to the level of traditional idol worshippers. Our trust must be in God
alone.
(e.) ldols Psalm 135: 18, Isaiah 42:17. The class should discuss this and mention other examples of things visible and invisible that men put their trust in, in everyday living.
Q2. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE FOLLOWING ANALOGIES IN RELATION TO GOD BEING A REFUGE TO HIS PEOPLE?
I. AS THE MOUNTAINS SURROUND JERUSALEM (Psalm 125:2)
Jerusalem is a city surrounded by mountains and hills that make invasion by the enemy
difficult. The Lord used this imagery to convey to the people how He protects them.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now
and forever more. Jerusalem was impenetrable as long as the people of Israel
walked in obedience to Him. Only when the people walked in disobedience (sin) was this
protection lost and Jerusalem became vulnerable.
ii. ABIDING UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE
ALMIGHTY AND DWELLING UNDER HIS
WINGS (Psalm 91:1,4).
The Psalmist creates an imagery to explain the security those who fear God and trust in Him daily enjoy. He likens the relationship to
dwelling in a hidden, secure shelter built by God and states that those that have this
privilege will live under the cover or shadow of the Almighty. They will enjoy His
protective and preservative presence over their lives as long as the relationship is
sustained. Again, he likens it to the protection a mother hen grants the chicks when an
enemy lurks close by allowing them take refuge under her wings.
iii. HE WHO WATCHES OVER ISRAEL (Psalm
121:4).
The Psalmist here presents the Lord as the steadfast trustworthy watchman who does not get tired and has no need for sleep. “He that watches over Israel neither
sleeps no slumber.
Q3. WHAT QUALIFIES SOMEONE TO ENJOY THE ETERNAL REFUGE IN CHRIST JESUS? (John 3:16-18, Romans 10:9-11, John 1:12)
All that is required is for anyone to genuinely repent of their sins and be born again.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, all things have become new” 2 Cor 5:17. The person becomes a part of God’s spiritual family, part of “..Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, The church of the
firstborn who are registered in heaven” (Hebrews 12:22-24). Like physical Israel, the only thing that robs us of the
privilege of having Christ as our refuge always is living in Sin.
Q4. HOW IS CHRIST OUR ETERNAL REFUGE TODAY?
A. CHRIST GRANTING US SAFETY FROM
JUDGEMENT FOR SIN:
He paid the price for our sins once and for all and we have been ransomed and forgiven.
The scripture declares that “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit”
(Romans 8:1). Those who are born of God will not habitually continue in sin but
if as Christians we fall into sin, we are required to confess our sins sincerely and His
sacrifice will avail for us. The Father will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-10). The judgement of Christians is not to determine
judgement for sin but Judgement of works for
rewards.
B. KEEPING US SAFE FROM THE POWERS OF THE ENEMY (Acts 26: 18, Colossians 1:13; 2:15, Hebrews 2:14,15)
The sin of the first Adam is what gave satan power over the descendants of Adam (mankind). Due to the continued debt of sin,
man became enslaved and at the mercy of the devil whose plan is to steal, kill and destroy men(John 10:10). Jesus did not just pay the penalty for sin; He defeated the devil and made a public show of him. We have
therefore been delivered from being under the power of the devil or at his mercy and can live
our lives to the fullest as long as we abide in Christ.
C. ACCESS TO THE FATHER HIS GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES (Hebrews 4:14-16, 2 Peter 1:2-4)
The death of Christ on the cross met the righteous requirements of God and has declared us as righteous in God’s sight (Justification). We are therefore enabled to come boldly to God’s throne of grace, in His name, to obtain mercy and find grace to
help in the time of need. The death of Christ on the cross met the condition for all the promises that God has made in the
scriptures to be fulfilled in our lives making us to partake in the divine nature and live successful lives.
D.ETERNAL SAFETY. (John 3:16-18, Romans 8:1-2)
The death of Christ on the cross made the conditions possible for the eternal salvation of our spirits, souls and bodies (1 Thess.
5:23). Once saved, our sins are forgiven and we are no longer under condemnation for sin. Our souls are being renewed daily in
the knowledge of Christ (Romans 12:3). At Christ’s coming, our bodies will be
transformed into an eternal body.
Christ our High priest has an eternal priesthood and continually intercedes for us
before the Father. “He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make
intercession for them (Heb.7:25)
E. SAFETY AND HEALING FROM PESTILENCE AND DISEASE (Psalm 91:3-8; Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:5; Matt 4:23)
The Scriptures teach that “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities….and by His
stripes we are healed”. Sickness and diseases came as a consequence of sin. Christ’s
death on the cross paid the price for sin and it’s consequences. The devil cannot therefore afflict us with disease at will because we are no longer under his power. We have not only been healed but also given power to
lay hands on the sick and they will be healed. We are not to live in fear when pestilences and plagues come upon the earth but
place our trust in the Lord to keep us and our families safe. “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your
shelter, no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home” (Psalm 91:9-10.)
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
In Christ, we have everything we need for safety and refuge in this present age. Christ paid the price for our sin on the cross, has
triumphed over the devil, delivered us from the power of the evil one and has made us
more than conquerors through our union with Him.
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”