Come and See!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Scripture and Questions for Sunday (6/20/10)

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Questions for Reflection
1. How does our society regard the quality of humility?
2. How do we judge people according to outward appearances?
3. How important are outward appearances in our culture today?
4. What does this parable teach us about our prayer habits?
5. Why does God honor the prayers of a humble person?
6. In what area of your life do you want to combat a tendency to exalt yourself instead of Christ?

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Scripture and Questions for Sunday (6/13/10)

Scripture
Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. [37] And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, [38] and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. [39] Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." [40] And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."

[41] "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" [43] Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." [44] Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. [46] You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47] Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." [48] And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." [49] Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" [50] And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Questions for Reflection
1. In what ways have you been thanked recently?
2. With what character in the story do you most identify?
3. What were the limits of Jesus’ compassion in this story?
4. What are the limits of Jesus’ compassion toward us?
5. What can you do to foster your own thankfulness to God this week?

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Scripture and Questions for Sunday (6/6/10)

Ephes. 2:1-10 (ESV)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Thoughts
In these words, Paul is proclaiming the core of the Christian faith: Grace from God! Ours is not a religion in which we expend our own efforts to impress God and achieve salvation. This is religion that is built on the generosity of the heart of God as he looks at sinners and exclaims, "I know you don't deserve it, but I'll love you anyway!"

Grace is, by its very nature, surprising and without reason! And it is very expensive! Grace is expensive to God because it cost him his only begotten Son, and it's expensive to Christ because he gave his life for us. But we must not overlook the fact that it also has a cost for us. We must relinquish control of our life and give it over to our Sovereign Master.

Questions
1. When have you shown mercy to a person who deserved to be punished?
2. What three characteristics mark the condition of a person without Christ?
3. Why did God make those who were dead alive with Christ?
4. Why can no one boast in his own salvation?
5. How do you see God’s creative workmanship operating in your life?

Don’t forget the church breakfast (pancakes and bacon) Saturday morning at 8:00am and then we will do some clean up around the church. The more hands the lighter the work!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

June 2010 Schedule of Events

Saturday, June 5th
  • Men of the Church breakfast, 8 AM
  • Work Day, 8 AM
Sunday, June 6th
  • Communion
Tuesday, June 8th
  • Session Meeting, 6 PM
Friday, June 18th - Saturday, June 19th
  • Mission Presbytery
Friday, June 25th - Saturday, June 26th
  • County-Wide Women’s Conference at the First Baptist Church