Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Introductory Thoughts

Each murder is personal to someone and causes grief beyond comprehension. It is, therefore, difficult to compare one murder to another and suggest that one is somehow worse. That being said, there is one murder that far surpasses every other murder ever committed. That particular murder occurred when Jesus Christ was crucified. There are several reasons including the fact that nobody has ever been more innocent than the Son of God. Judas testified as much when he said, “I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). The murder of Christ was exceedingly wicked because the people murdered someone who was perfectly innocent. Secondly, the murder of Christ surpasses all others in that He was murdered for every man, woman, boy, or girl to ever enter this world (1 John 2:2).

Devotional Thoughts

• (For children): Peter made it clear in his message to the Jews that they had Jesus killed (Acts 3:13-15). All of us have sinned (Romans 3:23). Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). He could do so because He had no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22-24).
• (For everyone): What did Jesus do that was worthy of death? If He did nothing worthy of death, then why did He die? For whom did He die? What had you done that was worthy of death?
• What has the Devil ever done for you? What has Jesus done for you? What do you owe the Lord for all that He has done for you? How should His murder change your life forever?

Prayer Thoughts

• Thank God for sending His Son to die in your place.
• Thank God for giving you mercy in spite of the things you have done.

SONG: HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOUR!

 

Quotes from the next volume
(VOLUME 1, WEEK 22)
Subject: Friendship (con’t)

The wrong kinds of friends and inappropriate associations have led many people away from the truth and astray from God.
Friendships generally develop around some type of common ground or linked association. These activities can be either good or bad, righteous or wicked. Pilate and Herod are prime examples of the wrong kind of relationship nurtured through a sinful association.
Real friends insure that their friends are put into a position to hear the truth and never squander spiritual opportunities.