three everlasting christmas gifts from god

COLE WOMEN’S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS LESSON 2018

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Three Everlasting Christmas Gifts from God

As we enter into the season of giving and all the hustle and bustle that comes with celebrating Christmas, we thought it might be nice to take a break and look more deeply into God’s Word to discover several very special gifts He’s placed there to bless us, even in the busiest of times. How absolutely wonderful of our LORD to not only give us His Son, but also these three amazing song gifts we find in the first and second chapters of Luke’s Gospel. For centuries the Church has called them by their Latin names [derived from the beginning word(s) of each song]: Magnificat \mag-ˈni-fi-ˌkat\, Benedictus \ˌbe-nə-ˈdik-təs\, and Nunc Dimittis \nu̇ŋk-də-ˈmi-təs\. In English we know them as Mary’s song, Zacharias’ song, and Simeon’s song. Since we will study three scriptural Christmas gifts from God to us, we thought it might also be fun to view them in the light of the three special gifts the wise men brought to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Spend time in prayer before you open the Scriptures, asking the Spirit to lead, guide and show you what He would have you take away from your time in His word. Read Luke 1 and 2 (in the translation of your choice) to review the context in which our three song gifts are given (in a sense, placing them under the tree, ready to be unwrapped). Please note: Attached to this lesson you’ll find an Appendix containing most of the verses we will be studying, including the three songs. Scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

MAGNIFICAT: Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-55) Mary’s song is full of Old Testament references – from the Law, the Psalms and the prophets. It is also full of humility, love, devotion, and praise from her heart and spirit. She exalts God for His faithfulness, power, sovereignty, holiness, and mercy. She recognizes her need of a Savior, and believes God will provide what He’s promised. Read Luke 1:46-55 with 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Hannah – who had been barren – prayed this prayer following the birth of the son she’d asked of God). Many commentators see parallels between the words of these two humble, deeply devoted believers whose hearts and minds were saturated with the Word of God. Undoubtedly Mary was familiar with Hannah’s prayer, though not because she had a Bible handy. In those days, God’s word was handed down by word of mouth. What a beautiful picture of hiding God’s word in the heart! 1. What would you say is your level of devotion to God and His Word? Even during this busy

Advent season, how are you making time to sit at Jesus’ feet?


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It’s personal – Mary speaks first of God’s special favor on her (Luke 1:46-49a) Let’s further unwrap these precious verses! Mary first praises God for His special favor to her and concludes this section with the fact that from then on, all generations would count her blessed – not because of who she is, but because of her Lord and her God, and what He had done, was doing, and would do, in her life and in His people’s lives forever. 2. Read the following phrases from the Magnificat with the Old Testament verses in parentheses.

Below each, use your own words to offer up these same thoughts to the Lord.

a. My soul exalts the Lord (Psalm 34:2-3)

b. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (2 Samuel 22:3)

c. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave [slave/maidservant] (James 4:6) It’s national – Mary speaks of God’s special favor on His people Israel (Luke 1:49b-53) The second section of the Magnificat begins in the middle of verse 49: and holy is His name. Because He is holy, God is entitled to the highest reverence, which as we’ve seen, Mary offers. Now she turns her attention to what God has done for His chosen people, Israel. 3. On the table included with this lesson on page 13 (Hannah’s Prayer and Mary’s Magnificat),

mark every mention of God, including pronouns like His, Him, He. (We suggest using a yellow colored pencil.) a. Give an example from anywhere in Scripture where Sovereign God uses His mighty arm on

behalf of His people Israel. (Include verse references.)

b. Can you give another example – this time, from your life?

Humility is not simply feeling small and useless – like an inferiority complex. It is sensing how great and glorious God is, and seeing myself in that light.

– Sinclair Ferguson

Happy is the man whose hopes rely On Israel’s God; He made the sky, And earth, and seas, with all their train; His truth forever stands secure; He saves the oppressed, He feeds the poor, And none shall find His promise vain.

– Isaac Watts


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It’s for all who believe – Mary then speaks of God’s covenant-keeping grace

(Luke 1:54, 55) Mary was aware that the birth of this promised Child was a fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. In Mary’s day the current state of Israel was desperate. Most of the Jews were lacking true faith and without hope. They had no king of their own and were under relentlessly harsh Roman rule. Mary’s song reminds them – and us – that there is always hope, and that the covenant promises of our merciful God are freely given and available to all who believe. [We will see more about our covenant-keeping God in the next section of this lesson, Zacharias’ Benedictus.] Now that we’ve unwrapped the Magnificat, a gift of gold, we see that it is full of the wonder, beauty and power of God the Father. Surely it is a call to worship Him – in Spirit and in truth. May what we’ve seen and heard deepen our times of worship this Christmas season. And may we find ways to share this precious gift with those around us. Invite someone to come and worship the King!

BENEDICTUS: Zacharias’ Song (Luke 1:68-79) Read Luke 1:68-79 as a whole, before we look at it in three segments. Note: The offering of incense in the temple was a once-in-a-lifetime priestly duty, its timing determined by the casting of lots (Proverbs 16:33). At the exact moment chosen by God, Zacharias entered the Holy Place to burn incense before the golden altar … where he encountered the angel Gabriel. Upon emerging, Zacharias was supposed to deliver a benediction (the bestowing of blessing) over the people who were outside, but Gabriel had made him unable to speak. Isn’t it awesome that Zacharias’ first words after some nine months of silence were a Spirit-filled benediction over his family, friends, nation and beyond!

Gold: Precious yellow metallic element, highly malleable and ductile, and not subject to oxidation or corrosion; something likened to this metal in brightness, preciousness, superiority, etc. The New Jerusalem will be pure gold, like clear glass. (Revelation 21:18)

One of the gifts of the magi.


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God’s everlasting covenant with David (Luke 1:67-71) Like many devout Jews of his day, Zacharias viewed God’s plan of redemption as the unfolding of His purposes for Israel. He knew that God had visited His people in Old Testament times for judgment or blessing, and that His long-awaited visit as Redeemer/King was at hand. The one thing he didn’t know was that Israel would reject her Messiah and execute Him. But thankfully, Israel’s disobedience cannot nullify the promises of God (Romans 3:1-3). With these things in mind, Zacharias begins his Benedictus with words Jews would quickly recognize – words spoken by God’s prophets about the covenant He had made with Israel’s King David, and about the Branch that was to come (the One who would be a blessing to all people of faith). 4. Read 2 Samuel 7:8-11 and Jeremiah 33:14-18. Jot down what you learn about:

a. The Davidic covenant

b. God’s promises to Israel

c. The Branch

d. Who is this horn of salvation (Luke 1:31-33), this Branch?

God’s everlasting covenant with Abram/Abraham (Luke 1:72-75) Long before God made His covenant with David, He made one with Abram. That covenant included the changing of Abram’s name to Abraham (father of nations) – an illustration of what was to come as God created and chose the Jewish nation to be His own. They were given everlasting promises and called to be a witness for their LORD and their God in the world. Abraham was promised descendants (he was childless when this covenant was made with him). One of them would bless the world forever: Messiah, Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). Zacharias reminded his hearers that God had surely remembered and kept His covenant promises. These truths would make a difference in their lives, allow them to serve their God without fear, and to live in holiness and righteousness before Him all their days. 5. Read Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 17:1-8. Note what God promises to Abram/Abraham

regarding the following: a. nation/Israel (Genesis 12:2)

b. blessings (Genesis 12:2, 3)


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c. descendants (Genesis 17:2)

d. nations (Genesis 17:4)

e. God’s relationship with Abram/Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:7)

f. duration of these covenant promises (Genesis 17:7)

g. land (Genesis 17:8)

Like Zacharias, the apostle Paul also looked back at the Abrahamic Covenant. In the book of Galatians, he reveals several fantastic truths – about Abraham’s descendants, the inheriting of blessings, and the gospel itself. Let’s take a look. 6. Read Galatians 3:6-9 and answer the following:

a. Who are Abraham’s descendants?

b. Are Gentiles included as well as Jews?

c. What was preached to Abraham?

d. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. What is the gospel?

e. What a fabulous gift we’ve been given! When in faith we believe in Christ, God provides forgiveness, righteousness, redemption and eternal blessings – just as He promised to Abraham. Have you received these blessings? Are you sharing the gospel so others can hear and believe too?

A note about Israel: God placed Abram into a deep sleep and unilaterally pledged to keep, and to remember, the holy covenant between them. Enjoyment of covenant blessings, as we have seen, comes through faith. Unfortunately, as a whole, Israel has not responded in faith – she rejected and crucified her Savior at His first coming. Yet God has always reserved for Himself a remnant of Israel who are people of true faith (see Zechariah 12:10, Romans 11:26). In the end, multitudes of Jewish people will come to faith, mourn for having rejected Jesus before, and acknowledge Him then as Messiah/Savior. They (along with believing Gentiles) will enter into all the blessings God has promised.


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God’s everlasting New Covenant (Luke 1:76-80) Although both the Davidic and Abrahamic covenants require faith for their blessings to be realized, nothing in the covenants themselves provides salvation. The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Another covenant in the Bible, the Mosaic (Old) Covenant, promised blessings and curses dependent on obedience to the Law. Again, nothing in the Old Covenant provided a solution to mankind’s sin problem, especially since no one could perfectly obey the Law, and the blood of the required animal sacrifices could never truly take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). A new and better covenant was needed – and of course our merciful God provided! After turning his attention briefly to his son, John, and his role as Messiah’s forerunner, Zacharias concludes his Benedictus with a glimpse of new and greater blessings ahead – in and through the New Covenant. 7. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34. Revealed by God through the prophet Jeremiah, the New Covenant, like

the others we’ve looked at, was originally given to the Jews -- but the New Testament reveals it is ours (Gentiles’) too. Zacharias undoubtedly had Jeremiah’s words in mind when he spoke this section of his Benedictus. Read Hebrews 8:10-12, a restatement of Jeremiah’s prophecy, and answer the following questions. Make your answers personal by using personal pronouns when you can. a. Where will God put His laws?

b. Where will He write them?

c. What will His people’s relationship be with Him?

d. Who will know Him?

e. What will He remember about His people’s iniquities/sins?

8. We cannot move on from our exploration of the New Covenant without being reminded of the way in which the Lord provides for our knowledge and obedience – the power He has given us in our indwelling Helper, the Holy Spirit. Remember, before Pentecost, the Spirit was given by God frequently, but only temporarily, to empower a person for a special task. After Pentecost, He indwells forever all who believe. Read John 16:13 and 1 Corinthians 3:16, and pause for a few moments to thank God for this invaluable gift. Jot down whatever comes to mind.


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9. Before anyone can turn and be saved, God must circumcise the heart. Read Deuteronomy 30:6. Has your heart been circumcised? Is His law now written there? How do you know?

Note: In verses 78-79, we read of the Sunrise from on high – a reference to Jesus Christ. (Read Malachi 4:2 and Revelation 22:16). Zacharias views Messiah as a great light from heaven, shining salvation on those who sit in the darkness and death of unforgiven sin. 10. Both Zacharias and Mary spoke of the LORD’s mercy. Let’s take a minute to consider this

attribute of God. List what you learn about His mercy from the four times the word is used in the Magnificat and the Benedictus.

The Magnificat The Benedictus a. Luke 1:50

c. Luke 1:72

b. Luke 1:54

d. Luke 1:78, 79

11. Throughout the Bible we see the mercy of God extended to undeserving, imperfect people –

because of His everlasting lovingkindness. Our sovereign, unchangeable, ever-gracious God is so good, isn’t He! How have you seen the Lord’s mercy in your life?

Note: Both the Magnificat and the Benedictus are deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Christianity is nothing new: It’s the fulfillment of everything promised then accomplished through the work of Messiah/Christ. Both Mary and Zacharias looked forward to His coming with great enthusiasm and joy. We are privileged to do the same with regard to His coming again!

When through the blood of the everlasting covenant we children of the shadows reach at last our home in the light, we shall have a thousand strings to our harps, but the sweetest may well be the one tuned to sound forth most perfectly the mercy of God.

– A. W. Tozer


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Now that we’ve unwrapped the Benedictus, a gift of frankincense, we see that it is a clarion call to a faithful lifestyle of prayer (personal and corporate) and devoted service to God. Despite their circumstances (they had no child … were both advanced in years), Zacharias and Elizabeth kept petitioning and living rightly before their covenant-keeping God. May these truths lift us above the norm this Christmas season. Let’s take time out for prayer … and be on the lookout for ways to love and serve.

NUNC DIMITTIS: Simeon’s Song (Luke 2:29-32) The couples we’ve looked at in Luke 1-2 (Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph) were part of the righteous remnant of Israel. Despite the circumstances of life under Roman rule and God’s seeming delay in sending a Savior they clung to faith, found great joy in obeying the Law, and were waiting expectantly for their covenant-keeping God to fulfill all He had promised. Here, as Mary and Joseph bring the Child to the temple, they encounter Simeon – another of the righteous remnant. Re-read Luke 2:25-35 as we prepare to unwrap our third song gift. Its Latin title, Nunc Dimittis means “Now Lord.” 12. Focus on Luke 2:29, 30. What Is the Lord doing for Simeon? According to what? Why?

Frankincense: A white resin or gum obtained from certain trees; highly fragrant when burned and therefore offered in the Tabernacle and Temple, per God’s instructions (Exodus 30), as a pleasing aroma to Him; connected in Scripture with the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8).


God had promised Simeon that he would see the salvation of God. What did he see? He saw a little Baby. Salvation is a Person … and that Person is the Lord Jesus Christ.

– J. Vernon McGee


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13. Simeon lived in great expectation. This righteous, devout man knew the longed-for Messiah might appear that very day. For us, He’s already appeared, and we know He’s coming again. What about your life shows others that you’re waiting for Christ’s return?

14. Simeon was ready to die now (though there is no record of his death in the Scriptures). His Lord had given him the promised Gift – he held Him in his arms! For the believer, there is life in and after death. Read Isaiah 26:3, Galatians 2:20 and Philippians 1:21. Explain why and how you too, can depart in peace.

15. Read Luke 2:31-32, about the Light prepared for, and given to, Jews and Gentiles. Read Isaiah 49:6 and Matthew 5:14-16. At Christmas time, when we celebrate Jesus’ birth, lights are everywhere! How can you walk in the Light, and shine your light this season? Be specific, please.

16. Read Luke 2:33-35 to see Mary and Joseph’s reaction to Simeon’s song, and to hear the prophecy he then gave to Mary. In the midst of all the joy of Jesus’ birth, there was the sobering fact that, this time, He came to die. Not everyone would embrace His appearing. Read John 1:5 and 3:19 with 1 Peter 1:3-5. What blessings await those who rise and do not fall when it comes to Christ?

Now that we’ve unwrapped the Nunc Dimittis, a gift of myrrh, we see the joy that comes from diligent preparation for His coming. Simeon lived in hope and expectation that God would show up, preparing his heart for Jesus’ coming by daily dying to self and walking in the Spirit. He spoke confidently of Jesus’ death and resurrection – through which would come the salvation of all who believe. May you be challenged to live this way also!

Myrrh: A highly fragrant, gummy resin turned into a powdered form and mixed with aloes; used by the Jews in burial preparation as an agent to stifle the smell of decay; also mixed with wine to form a stupefying potion (as was offered to Jesus on the cross); associated with the concepts of bitterness and death.



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Magnificat

Gold

Worship

Benedictus

Frankincense

Prayer/Service

Nunc Dimittis

Myrrh

Preparation/Expectation What amazing gifts we’ve been given! May we receive them with thanksgiving and joy. And may we offer them back to God this Christmas season, as we celebrate His birth … and throughout the year, as we live in great expectation of His triumphant return. 17. Three everlasting Christmas gifts from God! How will you thank the Giver, and how will you

enjoy and share them?

Cynthia Schnereger (2018)

COLE WOMEN’S MINISTRY APPENDIX CHRISTMAS LESSON 2018

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APPENDIX

Use the verses on the next two pages and the table on page 13 to answer questions 1-3.

MAGNIFICAT – Mary’s Song Luke 1:46-55

46And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,

47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48"For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;

For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

49“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

50"AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER

GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.

51“He has done mighty deeds with His arm;

He has scattered [those who were] proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52“He has brought down rulers from [their] thrones,

And has exalted those who were humble.

53“HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;

And sent away the rich empty-handed.

54“He has given help to Israel His servant,

In remembrance of His mercy,

55As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

APPENDIX COLE WOMEN’S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS LESSON 2018

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1 Samuel 2:1-10 Then Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the LORD;

My horn is exalted in the LORD,

My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 “There is no one holy like the LORD,

Indeed, there is no one besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God. 3 “Boast no more so very proudly,

Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;

For the LORD is a God of knowledge,

And with Him actions are weighed. 4 “The bows of the mighty are shattered,

But the feeble gird on strength. 5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for

bread,

But those who were hungry cease to hunger.

Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she

who has many children languishes. 6 “The LORD kills and makes alive;

He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 “The LORD makes poor and rich;

He brings low, He also exalts. 8 “He raises the poor from the dust,

He lifts the needy from the ash heap

To make them sit with nobles,

And inherit a seat of honor;

For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,

And He set the world on them. 9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones,

But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;

For not by might shall a man prevail. 10 “Those who contend with the LORD will be

shattered;

Against them He will thunder in the heavens,

The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;

And He will give strength to His king,

And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

Psalm 34:2-3 2My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The

humble will hear it and rejoice. 3O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His

name together.

2 Samuel 22:3

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

My shield and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold and my refuge;

My savior, You save me from violence.

James 4:6

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore [it] says,

“GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT

GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”


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Table for Question 3:

Seeing God in Hannah’s Prayer and Mary’s Magnificat

Hannah’s Prayer 1 Samuel 2:2-8

Mary’s Song (Magnificat) Luke 1:49b-53

v2

v3

v4

v5

v6

v7

v8

“There is no one holy like the LORD,

Indeed there is no one besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God.

Boast no more so very proudly,

Do not let arrogance come out of your

mouth;

For the LORD is a God of knowledge,

And with Him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty are shattered,

But the feeble gird on strength.

Those who were full hire themselves out

for bread,

But those who were hungry cease to

hunger.

Even the barren gives birth to seven,

But she who has many children

languishes.

The LORD kills and makes alive;

He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The LORD makes poor and rich;

He brings low, He also exalts.

He raises the poor from the dust.

He lifts the needy from the ash heap

To make them sit with nobles,

And inherit a seat of honor;

For the pillars of the earth are

the LORD’S,

And He set the world on them.”

v49b

v50

v51

v52

v53

“… And holy is His name.

AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER

GENERATION

TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.

He has done mighty deeds with His arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in

the thoughts of their heart.

He has brought down rulers

from their thrones,

And has exalted those who were humble.

HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD

THINGS.

And sent away the rich empty-handed.”


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Use the verses on the next three pages to answer questions 4-11.

BENEDICTUS – Zacharias’ Song

Luke 1:68-79 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us

In the house of David His servant— 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—

71 Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES,

And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers,

And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,

74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,

Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation

By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH,

To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 2 Samuel 7:8-11 8 “Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant

David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “I took you

from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be

ruler over My people Israel. 9 “I have been with you

wherever you have gone and have cut off all your

enemies from before you; and I will make you a

great name, like the names of the great men who are

on the earth. 10 “I will also appoint a place for My

people Israel and will plant them, that they may live

in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor

will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11even from the day that I commanded judges to be

over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from

all your enemies. The LORD also declares to you

that the LORD will make a house for you.”’


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Jeremiah 33:14-18 14 ‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD,

‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have

spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house

of Judah. 15 ‘In those days and at that time I will

cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth;

and He shall execute justice and righteousness on

the earth. 16 ‘In those days Judah will be saved and

Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is [the name]

by which she will be called: the LORD is our

righteousness.’ 17 “For thus says the LORD, ‘David

shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the

house of Israel; 18 and the Levitical priests shall

never lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings,

to burn grain offerings and to prepare sacrifices

continually.”’

Genesis 12:1-3 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from

your country, And from your relatives And from

your father’s house, To the land which I will show

you; 2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will

bless you, And make your name great; And so you

shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one

who curses you I will curse. And in you all the

families of the earth will be blessed.”

Genesis 17:1-8 1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the

LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am

God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. 2 “I will establish My covenant between Me and

you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Abram

fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, 4

“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And

you will be the father of a multitude of nations. 5

“No longer shall your name be called Abram, But

your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you

the father of a multitude of nations. 6 “I will make

you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of

you, and kings will come forth from you. 7 “I will

establish My covenant between Me and you and

your descendants after you throughout their

generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God

to you and to your descendants after you. 8 “I will

give to you and to your descendants after you, the

land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for

an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Galatians 3:6-9 6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT

WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS

RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is

those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify

the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel

beforehand to Abraham, [saying,] “ALL THE

NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” 9 So

then those who are of faith are blessed with

Abraham, the believer....

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel

which I preached to you, which also you received, in

which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved,

if you hold fast the word which I preached to you,

unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you

as of first importance what I also received, that

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on

the third day according to the Scriptures,


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Jeremiah 31:31-34 31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD,

“when I will make a new covenant with the house of

Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the

covenant which I made with their fathers in the day

I took them by the hand to bring them out of the

land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke,

although I was a husband to them,” declares the

LORD. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will

make with the house of Israel after those days,”

declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them

and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their

God, and they shall be My people. 34 “They will not

teach again, each man his neighbor and each man

his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will

all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest

of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive

their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no

more.”

Hebrews 8:10-12 10 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL

MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER

THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT

MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL

WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I

WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE

MY PEOPLE. 11 “AND THEY SHALL NOT

TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN,

AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING,

‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL WILL KNOW

ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF

THEM. 12 "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO

THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER

THEIR SINS NO MORE.”

John 16:13 13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will

guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on

His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will

speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God

and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Deuteronomy 30:6 6 “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise

your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love

the LORD your God with all your heart and with all

your soul, so that you may live.”

Malachi 4:2 2 “But for you who fear My name, the sun of

righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and

you will go forth and skip about like calves from the

stall.”

Revelation 22:16 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you

these things for the churches. I am the root and the

descendant of David, the bright morning star.”


CL2018 – 17

Use the verses below to answer questions 12-16.

NUNC DIMITTIS – Simeon’s Song

Luke 2:29-32

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,

According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Isaiah 26:3 3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect

peace, Because he trusts in You.”

Galatians 2:20 20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no

longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the

[life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in

the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up

for me.”

Philippians 1:21 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Isaiah 49:6 6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be

My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to

restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make

You a light of the nations, So that My salvation may

reach to the end of the earth.”

Matthew 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill

cannot be hidden; 15 nor does [anyone] light a lamp

and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and

it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your

light shine before men in such a way that they may

see your good works, and glorify your Father who is

in heaven.”

John 1:5 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness

did not comprehend it.

John 3:19 19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into

the world, and men loved the darkness rather than

the Light, for their deeds were evil.”

1 Peter 1:3-5 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused

us to be born again to a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to

[obtain] an inheritance [which is] imperishable and

undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven

for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God

through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in

the last time.


CL 2018 – 18

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