DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth) | The Death of John The Baptist
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Youth DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
LESSON 26 | THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
TEXT: Matthew 14:1-13
MEMORY VERSE: “And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother” (Matthew 14:10,11).
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth) MESSAGE
At the end of the previous chapter, Jesus was despised in His own country by His own people “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief’ (Matthew 13:58). However, this study shows that the miracles of Jesus cannot be concealed by household hatred and envy.
Christ’s popularity has spread even among political leaders of His day due to numerous miracles performed by Him. Herod, the wicked king who killed John the Baptist the forerunner of Jesus Christ also heard of these miracles. He misinterpreted the source of the miracles due to his ignorance and inner condemnation for killing John who warned him of his adultery. Christian youths should not be afraid of household or classmates’ hatred and mockery.
God’s purpose will be accomplished eventually in the life of every youth who put his/her confidence in Christ. Living in sins and evils including stealing, fighting, abortion, cultism, fornication, dating and disobedient to God brings, condemnations and inner troubles to sinning youths. confessing and forsaking of sins and acceptance of Christ are the only ways a sinning youth can have lasting inner peace and freedom from condemnations.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth)
Question 1: How can a sinning youth be free from sins and inner condemnation?
Christ didn’t allow His relatives’ unbelief and the death of John to discourage Him from preaching the gospel. Every youth should emulate His example by tirelessly spreading His good news to others, not minding persecutions from unbelievers.
JESUS’ MIRACLES MISUNDERSTOOD BY HEROD (Matthew 14: 1 ,2; Mark 6:14-16; 7:37; Luke 9:8)
The good news of salvation from sins and deliverance from oppression brought by Jesus Christ has spread to the palace of Herod. Some people must have spread the news, since neither Christ nor His disciples went to the palace. This is a challenge to all youths to allow God to use them for the salvation of other youths. As the slave girl in the house of Naman spread the good news of God’s power to her master, Christian youths should not be ashamed of spreading the saving and miracle working power in the name of Jesus everywhere.
READ: DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Adult)
The numerous signs and wonders witnessed in our church is the best “breaking” news to share on social media, instead of rumours and nude pictures unbelieving youths are spreading today. Christian youths must flood the social media with good news in order to stop the tide of evil news from unbelievers.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth)
Question 2: How can Christian youths stop the tide of evils in the social media?
Jesus Christ was famous for good reasons not for evils. He is the best hero any youth should emulate today. He lived a perfect life worthy Of emulation for all youths. Christian youths should abstain from worshiping sinful so-called models in the world. The world, just like Herod do not still understand who Jesus is today. They are blind to eternal life and peace in Christ Jesus. They are confused and cannot understand how to be free from their condemnations.
The guilt of their evils follow them everywhere they go. Truly, in agreement with the Scripture, the sinner runneth “when no man pursueth”. “And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him” (Matthew 14:2).
Herod, like many unbelieving youths erroneously believed in re-incarnation. But the Scripture clearly says that, “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Uniform testimony of the Scripture is judgment after death for every human without any second chance of being re-incarnated. Youths should make the best use of the opportunity they have today by surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ before it is too late. Though Herod was rich and popular as a king; yet he lacks basic spiritual understanding, no wonder he was living in sins.
Unregenerate great men and women in the world are themselves ignorant and blind spiritually. Only salvation and deep knowledge of the word of God can prevent youths from being misled by popular but sinful adults and youths.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth)
Question 3: What is the stand of the Scripture on incarnation?
Herod was bold discussing John, even after murdering him. He spoke categorically as if he was an authority in spiritual matters. In like manner, popular men and women in the world today often speak on matters they are completely ignorant of. Some alleged that there is no hell or heaven. They claim that God is not interested in what you wear, and some even go as far as saying there is no God.
Christian youths must understand that all sinners either rich or poor, educated or illiterate, high or low are all blind and are not competent to guide them. Only Christ is our real Model in everything and the Bible is our final authority on every issue. Whosoever contradicts the Bible on any issue is wrong irrespective of his/ her position in the world or the church.
JOHN THE BAPTIST KILLED BY HEROD (Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29; Luke 9:9; Exodus 20:13; Proverbs 15: 12)
“For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother, Philip’s wife” (Matthew 14:3). Leaders are supposed to be good examples unto youths both in the church and society. However, Herod was a bad model indeed by his conducts and inability to refrain from adultery and incest. Herod dislikes corrections like many ungodly youths today. He wants to satisfy his flesh without consideration for the feeling of his brother, Philip just because he was in a position of authority.
It is Unfortunate that there are several bad examples in the society today and even in several churches. Political killings, kidnapping, robbery, cheatings, stealing, divorce, remarriage, demonic music and prostitutions are all common among men and women in places of authority. Though common, yet the judgment of God is certain and imminent if there is no genuine repentance from all these evils. Christian youths should refrain from these evils in order to escape from the imminent wrath of God.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth)
Question 4: What should be the attitude of Christian youths to increasing evils among leaders in the society?
John’s correction of Herod’s adulterous act was his last public ministry on earth. He was a firing, righteous and courageous forerunner of Christ. Christ’s statement about John later shows that it is not how or when we depart this world that matter most, but how well we are able to fulfil the purpose of God in our lives here on earth (Matthew 11:11, 12).
We can learn the following from John the Baptist. One, persecution is a cross every follower of Christ must experience and endure as we journey to heaven. Two, generally, highly placed individuals hate being corrected; so Christian youths must seek counsel from their spiritual leaders and refrain from open confrontation. Three, youths must develop right attitude towards godly correction both at home and in the church.
While John was unjustly kept in prison, Herod was celebrating his birthday with dancing, drinking and fun-fare. The daughter of Herodias danced before him, and in his unguided drunken state, “…he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask” (Matthew 14:7).
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth)
In response, after consulting with her wicked mother, the girl demanded John the Baptist’s head. Herod was guilty of making thoughtless vow. His pride and desires to please men prevented him from reversing his foolish vow. He preferred to murder an innocent man of God just for the purpose of gaining the praise of men. Herod added sin to sins (verse 6,8).
Christian youths should not allow themselves to be used by ungodly adults to settle scores with their perceived enemies. Believing youths’ obedience to their parents and others be moderated by the word of God. Any instruction contrary to God’s word must be wisely rejected. This is the reason adequate knowledge of the word of God through reading and meditation should be a daily practice of all Christian youths.
Question 5: What should be the attitude of Christian youths to birthday celebration?
At Herod’s birthday, three things happened. Herod and his acquintances became drunk. They played ungodly music and John the baptist was killed. Christian youths should be careful on the issue of birthday celebration. The act of excessiveness and ungodly conduct in marking one’s birthday celebration is frowned at by God’s word.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Youth)
JESUS’ MODEL ATTITUDE TO PERSECUTION (Matthew 14:12,13; 5:10-12,44; Psalm 119:86; John 15:20; Romans 12:14; 2 Timothy 3: 12)
“And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:12). John the Baptist’s disciples identified with him even after his death. In like manner, Christian youths should identify with Christ and His Church in all situations. As Christ suffered to redeem the Church, youths should willingly bear every suffering associated with their obedience to God.
As John’s disciples openly associated with him in his darkest period, godly youths should not be ashamed of Jesus; they should openly associate with Him in all situations. Proper attitude during persecution both by the Persecuted and their close associates is very important.
Right attitude includes forbearance (Matthew 5:38-42) mercy (Romans 12:20), love for persecutors (Matthew 5:44) and realisation that being Christlike will attract persecutions like Christ. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matthew 5: 10, 11).
Christian youths’ persecution can be in the form of ridicules, scorn, deliberate failure by teachers, unkind nicknames, deprivation, physical harm and on few occasions, deaths. Saints all over the ages had suffered persecution. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
God knows how to moderate the persecutions believers face based on their level of faith. He will not allow them to face trials greater than their faith. John was able to face his own persecution based on the grace of God in his life.
Question 6: Mention forms of persecution that Christian youths can face and what their attitude should be.
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