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Friday, November 29, 2013

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/1/13)

Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Youth and children need to be in Sunday School Sunday to prepare for the Christmas program which will be December the 15th.
 
Scripture for Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent
Matthew 24:36-44 (ESV) 
"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [37] As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, [39] and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. [42] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
 
Questions for Reflection
  1. What is the most surprised you’ve ever been in your life?
  2. Who knows when the end times will come? (24:36)
  3. When did Jesus say these end time events would occur? (24:36)
  4. Who did Jesus say knows the day and hour of the end? (24:36)
  5. To what did Jesus liken His coming? Why? (24:43-44)
  6. What qualities did Jesus say His servants will need to be ready for His coming? (24:45-47)
  7. What did Jesus warn would happen to those who doubt His coming? (24:48-51)
  8. What would you do if you hired a house sitter/caretaker to watch your home and children, left for a week-long vacation, and then returned a day early only to find that your caretaker had neglected your kids, destroyed your property, and ignored all your other instructions?
  9. What does it mean for us to be watchful?
  10. What difference does it make whether we believe in the imminent return of Christ?
  11. How would you react if you knew a thief would try to burglarize your home or apartment tonight?
  12. How can we have a sense of expectation about the return of Christ?

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/24/13)

We will have the Hanging of the Greens Sunday at 5:30, we will have chili and cornbread if you would like please bring a dessert to share.

ESV Psalm 100:1 A PSALM FOR GIVING THANKS.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
 
Thoughts
The superscription states that this psalm (or song) is “for giving thanks.” It was used in the temple with the sacrifices of praise. The expressions in this psalm reflect the preceding enthronement psalms (Ps. 47; 93; 95-99) that celebrate the Lord’s rule.
 
The psalmist exhorted the congregation to serve the Lord with gladness because He is the Creator, and to enter His temple with much thanksgiving because He is good and faithful.
 
God is our Creator; we did not create ourselves. Many people live as though they are the creator and center of their own little world. This mind-set leads to a greedy possessiveness and, if everything should be taken away, a loss of hope itself. But when we realize that God created us and gives us all we have, we will want to give to others as God gave to us (2 Cor. 9:8). Then, if all is lost, we still have God and all he gives us.
 
God is in a relationship with human beings. That is, God is not seen simply as a distant power. He is not an awesome “other.” He is not a watchmaker God, who set the universe in motion and then withdrew, having lost interest in the processes of life which He began. God is a Person who is revealed most clearly in His loving approach to humankind. God is known best as He is seen drawing near to you and me, eager to forgive, filled with parental compassion, continuing always to love those who have turned to rely on Him.
 
Questions for Reflection
  1. When do you feel like shouting for joy or singing?
  2. When (in what situations or for what acts) do you expect a thank you or acknowledgment of a favor you’ve done?
  3. Why should the world acknowledge the Lord through praise? (100:3-5)
  4. Where should believers offer their praise to God? (100:4)
  5. How should a person enter God’s house? (100:4)
  6. How does God demonstrate His goodness to the world? (100:5)
  7. What message comes through most clearly to you in this psalm?
  8. What does this psalm advise us to do?
  9. What should motivate us to worship God?
  10. What is sincere worship?
  11. What attitude should we have toward worshiping God?
  12. What changes do you feel you could make to improve your attitude toward worship and praising God?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/17/13)

Please Read Chapter 31 in the Story The End of Time, and Revelation 1-5; 19-22

Timeless Truth:  The King is coming!

Yes, I am coming soon.—Jesus.  Of the original apostles, only John remained to hear these words.   He had experienced the climax of salvation history, but God was not yet finished.  He had one more message to share with John and the growing churches to show His servants what must soon take place.
 
John was exiled on the island of Patmos for his faith in Jesus.  It was here that the glorified Christ appeared to John with a message of His second coming.  John saw someone “like a son of man” dressed in a priestly robe and ready to judge.  He fell like a dead man at His feet.  This John who had leaned against Jesus’ breast (Jn. 13:25) could not even stand before Christ’s unveiled glory.  Jesus presented Himself as the resurrected One who has authority over life and death.  He stood among seven golden lamp stands which represent the seven churches located in the province of Asia Minor on the mainland close to the island of Patmos. 
 
Jesus had messages for each of these seven churches.  From the three churches addressed in this chapter, a pattern emerges.  First, there’s a unique description of Jesus that is related to the message.  Then each message contains both a word of commendation and a rebuke for the congregation.  He then gives an instruction or warning before an encouraging promise to those who listen and overcome the problem.  Jesus who stands among the lamp stands was carefully watching His churches. 
 
John then saw the throne room of heaven where he was shown visions of future events. God sat upon His throne in unimaginable splendor and beauty.  He was surrounded by living creatures and elders who worshiped Him without ceasing.  He held a scroll that no one was found worthy to open, causing John to weep.  But John’s hope was restored when he saw the Lamb standing as if slain.  For the Lamb was worthy to open the scroll and also to receive power and glory and honor and praise!   
 
Shortly thereafter, the bride who symbolizes all faithful believers was ready, wearing clean linen and prepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.  Then John saw heaven opened, and Jesus descended in full glory on a white horse ready to wage war and judge mankind.  The King of Kings was ready to rule with blazing eyes and a blood drenched robe, a sharp sword and filled with the fury of God’s wrath.  He was accompanied by the armies of heaven. His appearance is a dramatic reminder of the awfulness of God’s coming judgment upon those who reject the Lord.  God’s final judgment from His great white throne is the final event of human history as we know it.  The dead stand before Him in judgment. Those not found in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire. 
 
Then John saw the New Heaven and New Earth and the New Jerusalem.  In this future re-creation, God dwells among His people where He wipes away every tear.  Many themes from His redemptive Story find their culmination in this place where all things are made new.  The majestic and glorious New Jerusalem will be home to all the redeemed.  Nothing impure will ever enter it.  The water of life flows from the throne of God, the tree of life bears much fruit, and all are invited to partake.  This place is the hope of every believer, for it is where God’s Upper Story and His Lower Story finally merge into one.  It is here that the redeemed will enjoy the presence of God and of the Lamb forever.  As Jesus concluded His message to John, three times He said, “Look, I am coming soon!”  No wonder we are called blessed!  Our King is coming!  Come, Lord Jesus, come!
 
Questions
  1. Why might Christians resist studying this book? According to this chapter, what are the benefits connected to studying Revelation?  (Hint:  p. 379, 387; Rev. 1:3, 22:7)
  2. Make a list of the various ways God the Father and God the Son are described throughout this chapter of The Story.  For example, on page 379, the Father is him who is, and who was and who is to come; Jesus Christ is the faithful witness.  After completing your list, discuss what one or two of these descriptions mean.
  3. Jesus’ messages to the seven churches usually follow a general pattern:  a description of Himself, a commendation, a rebuke, a warning or instruction, and a promise. Compose a letter to your church using this format.
  4. Notice the description of the throne room of heaven (p. 382, Rev. 4:1-6).  Look up Ezekiel 1:26-28, Exodus 19:16 and 20:18, Job 37:4 and John 12:27-28.  What do these images communicate about God?  
  5. What four-fold reason makes the Lamb worthy to open the scroll and receive praise (p. 383)?
  6. Read Matthew 24:29-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and Titus 2:11-14.  How should you live in anticipation of Christ’s return?
  7. From what you have learned in this chapter about the great white throne judgment and the lake of fire, how might you respond to the person who does not believe that a loving God could ever sentence anyone to hell (p. 385-386, Rev. 20:11-15, 21:8)?  See also Revelation 20:10 and Matthew 25:41 for further insight.
  8. Find at least three similarities between the original creation (Genesis 1-2) and the new heaven and new earth (p. 385-387; Rev. 21-22).  How do these sections of Scripture contribute to our understanding of God’s Upper Story and what would we be missing without them?

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

November 2013 Newsletter

Click on the link to open the November 2013 Newsletter PDF. 

November 2013 Newsletter

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/10/13)

Scripture
Timeless Truth:  Suffering and perseverance are part of the Christian journey

If one could earn frequent traveler miles two thousand years ago, Paul might hold a record. After spending nearly three years in Ephesus, he retraced his steps through Greece and Macedonia before docking in Miletus.  There he summoned the Ephesian elders for a tearful and final farewell.  He charged them with shepherding the church of God.  After a brief stay with Philip in Caesarea, Paul headed for Jerusalem, knowing that chains awaited him there.  
 
Paul seemed to always be able to stir up a controversy. Just walking into the temple court stirred up trouble.  The Jews tried to kill him in Jerusalem so the Roman authorities stepped in to arrest him.  While being taken into custody, Paul gave his testimony before an angry crowd.  The Roman commander brought him before the Sanhedrin to get some answers, but that only made the problem worse.  Paul remained in protective custody and was transferred to Caesarea’s higher court where he remained for two years before appealing to Caesar.
 
When Paul wrote to the church in Rome while still on his missionary journeys, he told them that he planned to visit them. He probably did not anticipate his “fourth missionary journey” to be under these circumstances.  Luke joined him on this cruise to Rome with Julius, a kind Imperial centurion, as Paul’s personal escort.  Paul warned the crew that sailing on in bad weather would be disastrous, but they continued anyway.  Conditions worsened to hurricane force winds off the coast of Crete driving their ship every which way.  Weeks later the storm had not weakened, but all thoughts of survival surely had.  Food was low; gear was gone; hope was gone.  What seemed like a bad episode of Gilligan’s Island became unlikely opportunities for Paul to talk about God.  The next morning they arrived safely ashore on Malta where the islanders showed exceptional hospitality. When Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake without incident, the people thought he was either a criminal or a god.  Paul healed many of the locals during their winter stay there. Three months later they were finally able to set sail for Rome. 
 
Paul was greeted by believers at the port of Puteoli, modern day Pozzuoli, about 150 miles south of Rome. They encouraged him, and he spent a week there before traveling on.  When the Roman Christians heard he was coming, they joined him for the final forty miles of his trek to Rome where Paul was confined to house arrest under the supervision of a soldier.  Paul invited the Jewish leaders to come to his house.  There he told them about his conflict with the Jerusalem Jews and the fulfillment of the Scriptures by Jesus.  Some believed, but others rejected his message.  So once again Paul pronounced his mission to the Gentiles. He spent the next two years boldly teaching anyone about Jesus who would stop by (60-62 A.D).  In his spare time, Paul corresponded with some old friends. 
 
Paul had a special place in his heart for the church in Ephesus. He had spent three years there developing the new church (Acts 20:31).  He wrote to remind them of the high calling in Christ that is the basis of God’s plan to unite all believers—Jews and Gentiles alike—in one body, the Church. Therefore, those who are called are to conduct themselves in the highest of ethical standards. Although the world is hostile, believers are to preserve unity in the Spirit. During his final Roman imprisonment (67-68 A.D.), Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him to be faithful in preserving the gospel in the midst of persecution and false teachers. Timothy faced hardship in Ephesus.  So knowing he was probably facing execution soon, Paul penned a heartfelt letter to strengthen this son even from a damp, cold dungeon in Rome.
 
Questions
  1. From his farewell speech, describe Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (p. 363-364).  Look up 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.  What did he teach about the responsibility of elders from his personal life, his farewell address and his letters?  
  2. In 1 Corinthians 4:16 and 11:1, and 1 Thessalonians 1:6, how was Paul an imitator of Christ throughout his ordeals and what are the implications for believers today?  
  3. Paul was a Jewish Pharisee and a Roman citizen (p. 366) who exercised his rights as either at various times in his life.  Discuss as a group the appropriate exercise of our civil rights in the light of our “heavenly citizenship”.  
  4. What evidence of God’s grace and sovereignty can you find in Paul’s arrests, trials and travels?
  5. Look up Acts 28:30-31, Eph. 6:20, Phil. 1:7, Col. 4:10, 4:18 and Philemon 1.  How did Paul spend his two years while under house arrest in Rome (p. 373). What lessons can you learn about dealing with disagreeable and difficult circumstances?  
  6. Ephesians 1:1-10 (p. 373-374) teaches that as Christians we are “in Christ.”  What benefits and blessings does this status bring us?
  7. Paul urged the believers in Ephesus to “live a life worthy of the calling” that they had received (Ephesians 4:1, p. 375).  According to Paul’s letter, what does that mean?
  8. What makes the marriage relationship a good metaphor for the church’s relationship to Christ?  What does Christ do for the church (p. 376, Ephesians 5:21-33)?
  9. Look up Romans 5:3-5 and 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (p. 378).  What has Paul’s life taught you about perseverance? What might perseverance look like for us today?
  10. Paul reminded Timothy of his need to persevere in the work of preparing a future generation of Christian servants using the three illustrations of a soldier, athlete and farmer (2 Timothy 2:1-7, p. 377).  How does each one help Timothy fulfill his call while facing hardships?  Which of these traits do all believers need to fulfill their service to the Lord, even today?