Lessons for 06/07/2015, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost.

Genesis 3: 8-15 The lesson begins immediately after Adam and Eve had succumbed to temptation and disobeyed God. What an amazing experience it must have been to go for walks with God in the cool, evening breeze. God comes to the place where the people are living. When the human explains he was afraid because of his nakedness, how is it that Adam even knew there is something to fear in being naked? God asks the sensible question: How did you know you should hide? Not waiting for an answer, God drives immediately to the suspicion that the knowledge of good and evil has come into the human: "Have you eaten from the tree...?" Psalm 130 2 Corinthians 4:13 – 5:1 Paul remains confident that God will bring them all, missionary and missionized, into the eternal presence of God in spite of his hardships. Physical deterioration does not deter the untiring missionary. Though the believers’ outer transient nature is fading away, their inner spiritual nature is being renewed daily. The temporary afflictions of this life are preparing God’s saints for an incomparable glory. The apostle commends us to focus on the eternal rather than things transient. Mark 3: 20-35 Jesus’ ministry builds momentum as great crowds flock around him, probably attracted by the healings and exorcisms. Jesus creates such a stir that the scribes send a deputation to check it out. They conclude that Jesus is possessed by Beelzebul (a pagan god identified with Satan). Jesus points out the absurdity of their charge; if this were true, Satan would be battling with himself, but a “house divided against itself cannot stand” (v. 24). It is in this context, where men are attributing the work of God to Satan, the warning against the so-called “unpardonable sin” occurs. There are a variety of opinions as to what this unpardonable sin is. Some suggest it is turning to Satan rather than the God, which would be supported by the events of this passage. There are other interpretations. Based on Luke 12:10, the unpardonable sin is to refuse the Spirit’s aid during times of trial, to commit apostasy and deny Jesus. Either way, it makes sense that we cannot be forgiven as long as we have turned out backs on God. Those who continue to maintain that the work of God springs from the evil one have cut themselves off from the light of God’s presence. Jesus is not talking about a one-time sin but a continuing state of spiritual perversity and unbelief, such as was exhibited by the scribes. Not only do the scribes think that Jesus is possessed, but his own family comes to take him away, thinking that he has lost his mind. Jesus teaches the crowd that his real family is defined not by biology but by obedience to God’s will. Have you ever wondered about the meaning or context of a lesson? Ever wished for more information about what was happening at the time or the meaning of the scripture passage? Pastor Ken Puccio shares the insights he’s acquired during his 37 years of ministry. Pastor Ken Puccio of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Glen Avon discusses and reads the lessons for 06/07/2015, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 3:8-15 ; Psalm 130 ; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 ; Mark 3:20-35 .