ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS SEPTEMBER 10, 2023.

Memory Verse: Psalms 147:1 – Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely (KJV).

Lesson Bible Text:

Psalm 50 and 147

Lesson Central Truth:

Sing praises to God for His matchless greatness.

Worship is a vital part of every believer’s life and an integral part of the church. We do not have animal sacrifices today. Nevertheless, worship can take many forms such as singing, giving in the offering and serving, etc. How we worship and what our heart condition is are key. A regular examination in this area of our spiritual life is wise. How do we keep worship passionate instead of just something to check off our “to do” list? Psalm 50 is a musical story about God issuing a court summons to all people. He calls both heaven and earth as witnesses. No one is exempt from the summons to appear. In the song, God Himselft addrsses all those claiming to be followers of Jehovah as well as those who reject Him.

A. Summons To Appear – Psalm 50:1-6

B. The Wicked Rebuked – Psalm 50:16-23.

A. Listen To God Message – Psalm 50:7-8

B. What God Wants From His People – Psalm 50:9-15.

3. SING PRAISES TO THE LORD

A. God Deserves Our Praise – Psalm 147:1-6

B. Sing Praise To Him – Psalm 147:7-11.

Psalm 50:1-6,16-23

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Psalm 50 is one of the twelve songs credited to Asaph. Asaph was the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era. Asaph also regarded as a prophet in his musical composition (cf. 1 Chronicles 15:17-19;25:1 and 2 Chronicles 29:30). Asaph the psalmist began by referring to God in terms of utmost majesty, using several of the words or names in Scripture to refer to the God who is really there. Our God is Mighty and the LORD of all. Only Him has the matchless power to summon the earth to His courtroom. Note our God is the flawless and just judge. When he precede over a case, righteous and perfect judgement will be performed. Our God is not a man that can turn judgment to favour the best bidder. God began His judgment among His people – His saints, those who have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice. Certainly, God will judge the earth, including all the wicked, and He will do so in righteousness.

The wicked described in Psalm 50 are those who reject God’s laws and covenant. These could actually be churchgoers and people who claim to be God-fearing. However, their lives in no way resemble God’s love or Jis heart. Instead they are described as follows:

1. They quote Scripture, but do not live it (verse 16).

2. They hate God’s instructions, refusing to listen (verse 17).

3. They see wrong behaviour and don’t just tolerate it but join in it (verse 18).

4. They refuse to control their tongues using them to cause harm to even their close relatives (verses 19-20).

Jesus talks about these kinds of people in Matthew 7:21-23. They will come saying “Lord, Lord.” But Jesus will declare He never knew them. Growing cold or ineffective spiritually is easier than we like to admit. Formalism or ritualism is a sin against God. The real problem with ritual is that they give us feelings of being right with God when actually we may be guilty of the most terrible sins. We must repent from making people to us as believers while deep inside our hearts we are workers of iniquity. The opportunity to repent is now because God is coming to set things in order before our eyes.

Psalm 50:7-15

God opens this part of the courtroom scene addressing His people with a command to listen. God’s people represent Him to the surrounding nations – this shows they carry His name any where they go. As believers, we represent God to out world. Our lives should reflect His character. God reminds His people that their covenant agreement of sacrifice are with Him. His silence was not commendation. It was, and still is, the gift of allowing free will to choose righteousness. He calls them to account for the vow they made to honour and obey. The felony charge against them is one of keeping letter of the law but ignoring the lawgiver. The same can be said of any of us when we go through the motions of worship or ‘church’ without ever engaging our minds or hearts. In other words, we leave a church service, our time of prayer, or Bible reading with no imprint from our Maker. We never actually “connect.” The message we must hearken unto is that God seeks for true worshippers that will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23)

The sacrifice was a symbol of Israel’s covenant agreement with God. When God established a relationship with Israel, he gave them a list of the sacrifices he required of them. There are numerous passages in Exodus, Numbers and Leviticus which describe those sacrifices. We read about the burnt offerings, sin offerings, thank offerings and so on. They were a central part of the religious environment of Israel. In Psalm 50, we read that God does not rebuke them for bringing these sacrifices. They had been quite faithful in doing so, and yet, there is a rebuke here. The problem was that their sacrifices had become a ritual. They brought the sacrifices as if they were doing God a favor. Oftentimes, we bring sacrifices like money thinking we can please God with it. He owns the “cattle on a thousand hills” so what could we give Him that He did not already have? We must note that the sacrifice God wants is a sacrifice of praise or thanksgiving. God demand a thankful heart more than our ritual sacrifices. When we earnestly listen to His Words, He will deliver us and we will glorify Him.

Psalm 147:1-11

The Psalmist exhorts us to praise God. We are called to praise God because He alone is worthy of our praise. God commands us to experience joy in His presence. God’s commands are always for our good and our joy. Worshipping God is different from entertainment. The Psalmist sings “The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; He gathers Israel’s exiled people” (verse 2). This verse suggests that this Psalm was written during the rebuilding of Jerusalem, after the exiles returned home from Babylon. God in His grace brought His people, the outcasts, back home. The Psalmist went furtherr to highlight the condition of the people’s hearts prior to this restoration. The broken hearted returned to a broken city. God lifted His people from their brokenness. His kindness, He rebuilds broken lives. He restores families. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. The God who knows the stars by name is the God who restores the broken. He is the One who renews our strength like the eagle. As believers, we must use every opportunity to worship Him because He deserve it.

The Lord has saved, restored, and drawn near us, then the appropriate response to Him is gratitude. The Psalmist urges God’s people to “play the lyre to our God.” With this stringed instrument much like a harp, they are to praise God. We should Praise God with every instrument available. The Psalmist gives us further reason to praise God by speaking of how God provides for creation: who covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and causes grass to grow on the hills. He provides the animals with their food, and the young ravens, what they cry for (verse 8-9). Notice that God feeds both birds and animals (cf., Psalm 104; Job 38). God delight in His people who fears Him. We are duty-bound to praise Him with our whole hearts. Note that our praises and offerings of thanksgiving can hold tremendous power. Paul and Silas demonstrated this truth in Acts 16:16-34. They praise and sung from the inner dungeon of Philippian jail. God moved, not just to rescue them, but to bring others to Him. 2 Chronicles 20:20-27 when king Jehoshaphat sent singers to lead the battle. The mystery of praise exceeds the abilities of the logical mind. Therefore, we must trust and obey when it comes to giving sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.

We feel God’s love most keenly when we are focused on His will and have devoted ourselves fully to His praise and purpose for our lives.

Lesson Prayer Point

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to Him (Psalm 95:1-2). Praise Almighty God.

Remain blessed remain blessed as you join us in our Sunday school both online and at any Assemblies Of God Church close to you as we study together under the Feet of the Master.

Share your contribution and as well ask your question from the lesson.

Shalom!