Lesson for 11/8

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 15:1-12. Its titled "God Makes No Distinction" The lesson starts with "certain men" from Judea causing controversy in the church, saying "unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved" Verse 2 brings out how Paul and Barnabas disagreed with this notion and are sent to Jerusalem to talk to the apostles and elders concerning this. Along the way, Paul, Barnabas, and a few others stopped to visit believers in surrounding areas; they shared how Gentiles were being converted and saved. Verse 4 brings out, when they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed and reported everything God had done through them. To deviate from the lesson for a bit,  its good to share what God has done THROUGH you, not only what He's done FOR you. How did someone else see God's glory from the assistance you provided them or the positive news you shared? Back to verse 5, it states "Some of the believers that belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, "The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses" As a background, the reason the few were so adamant on circumcision is because in the book of Genesis, ch. 17 verse 14 - God tells Abraham that "any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” - but as we know from previous lessons and through faith, that we have been given grace, through God's Son, Jesus Christ. The final verses perfectly summarize this lesson. "God knows people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles (non Jews, that means us, our neighbors, co-workers, friends, - all believers) by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did us" Peter then continues by saying "He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts through faith." Verse 10, Peter asks the Pharisees, why are they challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a such an unbearable law, that even them nor their ancestors could keep. To God be the glory, for its by the grace of His Son Jesus, that we are saved. We are able to choose! We can repent and learn from our mistakes! May we not persecute each other with judgmental words, but rebuke in love, and continually encourage that we are saved by grace! God loves each and every one of us equally and wishes no one to perish.

Stay blessed and thanks for reading.