Come and See!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/30/11)

Prayer Request
From KK Allen “So, BCISD is officially back on high alert. Local businesses received our sixth threat against the students in four weeks. Please keep those prayers coming!”

This is also the school system that Jay Johnson’s son Dillon is in so we have a double connection to Bay City. Please keep them in your prayers.

Scripture
Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV) 
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 
    [2] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
    [3] "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    [4] "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
    [5] "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
    [6] "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
    [7] "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
    [8] "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
    [9] "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
    [10] "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    [11] "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This passage from the Gospel of Matthew is known commonly as The Beatitudes.  They are fondly heard , and treasured as words of comfort to the afflicted and distressed.  But like many popular passages in Scripture, they need to be placed in the context of their original hearers, and then brought into the world we live in for their full impact. Matthew is not precise about whether Jesus is speaking to the Disciples or the crowd gathered to hear him.  But we know Matthew wrote his Gospel for early Christians, so we can assume the Disciples were the primary audience.
      We also know Matthew wrote his Gospel from the point of view that “God is with us!”  The people were hearing the son of the living God speak to them these gracious words, but they were words of the future—of the end time when the Kingdom would be fully present.  These words of Jesus do not describe the way things are, but the way they will be. The Beatitudes are not statements about morality; rather, they are ethical principles that describe how things will be reversed in the Kingdom.  Those who mourn will be comforted, those who thirst for righteousness will be filled, the merciful will also receive mercy, and so on. 


Questions to Reflect Upon

1.    What are some ways people typically try to find happiness or fulfillment in life?
2.    How does it pay in the present to walk with God?
3.    What do you think it means to be poor in spirit?
4.    How would a person behave if he or she were hungering and thirsting after righteousness?
5.    What are some examples of showing mercy?
6.    How does society’s list of admirable virtues compare and contrast with these kingdom virtues?

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Youth Group, 1/26/11, 5:30 PM

Presbyterian Youth Fellowship tonight at 5:30, we eat at 6.  Come and see!

John 1:35-41 (ESV)
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/23/11)

Announcement
Don’t forget elder training, for all active session members, Saturday morning from 9:00 to 12:00 in the fellowship hall.

Scripture
John 1:35-41 (ESV) 
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" [37] The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38] Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" [39] He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. [40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. [41] He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). 

Thought for Reflection
When Andrew and the other disciple of John the Baptist tailed Jesus, he turned to them and asked, “What are you looking for?” They inquired as to where he was living. Jesus responded with an invitation: “Come and see.” Our Savior is inviting, urging us to come home to him, so that we might get to know him through his self-revelation. No hard sell, just a gracious invitation. Now Christ lives among his people. But how inviting are those who have charge of his house, the church? People still inquire, “Where does Christ live?” Can we invite them to come to our houses or our churches, saying, “Come and see”?

Questions for Reflection
1.    What gets you excited or enthusiastic?
2.    How would you feel if a good friend abandoned your friendship in favor of someone else?
3.    What did John’s disciples do when John identified Jesus?
4.    What was the first thing Andrew did after he had followed Jesus?
5.    What does it mean to follow Jesus?
6.    What hinders us from following Jesus?
7.    What must we leave to follow Jesus?
8.    To what friends and relatives could you introduce Jesus?

Friday, January 14, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/16/11)

Prayer Requests
Jack Duwe is having surgery today.
George and Dana Stewart need extra prayers, George has been sick for several weeks with no relief.
Psalm 27:1-14 (KJV) 
A Psalm of David.
    The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. [3] Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. [4] One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. [5] For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. [6] And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. [7] Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. [8] When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. [9] Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. [10] When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. [11] Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. [12] Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. [13] I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Questions for Reflection
1.    How do you feel when you have to wait a long time for something you really want?
2.    What are some events, people, or things that are worth waiting for?
3.    What did David mean when he said, “The Lord is my light”?
4.    Why was David able to trust God in the face of danger?
5.    When has your faith in the Lord been challenged?
6.    When have difficult times strengthened your relationship with the Lord?
7.    What role should faith play in our everyday lives?
8.    How could you strengthen or renew your dependence on the Lord?
9.    When have you found comfort or a renewed sense of security in church?
10.   What does it mean to “wait for the Lord”? 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/9/2011)

Prayer Request
From Laurrie Allen, regarding the school where her daughter KK teaches.

Hey guys, Bay City schools need lots of prayers. There has been a threatening letter sent to the school and today there was an additional threatening text sent to the high school students. They are in lock down. Please pray for all involved. If you go the Bay City ISD website you can read about the new text. FBI and Texas Rangers are there.  Thank you......Laurrie

Scripture for Sunday
Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV) 
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [14] John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [15] But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. [16] And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Questions for Reflection
 1.    How would you feel if the world’s leading, most renowned expert in your field publicly solicited your help?
2.    How did John react to Jesus’ request?
3.    Why was it important for John to comply with Jesus’ request?
4.    How did the Spirit of God play a role in the baptism of Jesus?
5.    Why do you think John felt awkward about baptizing Jesus?
6.    In what ways are many Christians concerned about “proper” behavior and striving for righteousness?

This week look for the Spirit of God at work in and through your life.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

January 2011 Calendar of Events

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sunday, January 2
  • Communion
  • Afternoon Worship at the Care Center – 4 PM
Wednesday, January 5 
  • Un-decorate the Church, 6 PM
Sunday, January 9 
  • Church School Kick Off
  • Ordination/Installation of Elders 
Tuesday, January 11
  • Presbyterian Women Circle, noon
  • Session, 6 PM
Saturday, January 22 
  • Elder Training, 9 AM - 12 PM
Sunday, January 23
  • Annual Meeting