Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/1/2020)

Prayer Concerns 
1.  Jean Blaylock’s surgery went well; there was no cancer. She is recovering at Sid Peterson in Kerrville.
2.  Lila Fox has been put on Hospice.
3.  Bobby Colston is having kidney problems that could be serious.

Scripture
Matthew 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "' Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "' He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "' You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Questions for Reflection
1.    Why are some temptations harder to resist than others?
2.    Who led Jesus into the wilderness? Why? (4:1)
3.    For what purpose was Jesus led into the desert? (4:1)
4.    What three names are given to Jesus’ adversary in the desert? (4:3, 5, 10)
5.    What happened after Jesus had resisted Satan three times? (4:11)
6.    Who came and ministered to Jesus when all was said and done? (4:11)
7.    How would you define temptation?
8.    Besides physical appetite, what are some other sins of the flesh?
9.    How can memorizing Scripture help us combat temptation?
10. What role does the Word of God play in resisting temptation?
11. What happens when a Christian consistently resists temptation?
12. What situations make us especially vulnerable to temptation?
13. In what ways can we make temptation more difficult to resist?
14. What can we do to make temptation more manageable?

March 2020 Newsletter

Click on the link below to view the latest newsletter.

March 2020 Newsletter

Have a great day!
~Carmen

Lenten Luncheons (Feb 26-Apr 8)

A citywide Lenten lunch is being held throughout the season of Lent at the First Baptist Church’s multipurpose building from February 26 through April 8. Lunch begins at 11:45 and the singing and message are over before 1:00 so those needing to return to work may do so. The lunches are sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance as a fundraiser as donations are taken each Wednesday. The different congregations take turns supplying the food. The opening luncheon for this year had about 115 in attendance. What a blessing to get to fellowship with all the different congregations over a delicious meal! All are welcome to join in.

Ash Wednesday Service (2/26/2020)

Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

7 AM in the Sanctuary

First Presbyterian Church - Junction, Texas

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/23/2020)

Saturday - Elder Training, 9 AM to Noon

Sunday -  Pancake Lunch following worship. Bring your favorite pancake topping to share.

Scripture
Matthew 16:24-28 (ESV) 

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Matthew 17:1-9 (ESV) 

1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

Questions for Reflection
1.    What is the most spectacular event you have ever witnessed?
2.    Where did Christ and his three disciples go? (17:1)
3.    What happened to Christ on the mountain? (17:2)
4.    Who else appeared and began talking to Jesus? (17:3)
5.    What do you think prompted Peter to say he would build shelters? (17:4)
6.    How did the disciples react when God spoke out of the cloud? (17:6)
7.    Who calmed down the disciples? (17:7)
8.    What did Jesus say to the disciples as they departed? (17:9)
9.    How would you have reacted if you had been with Christ for the Transfiguration?
10. What does this passage tell you about the relationship between Jesus and God the Father?
11. *What memories or insights do you think Peter, James, and John took home with them from this incident?
12. In what ways does God reveal Himself to us today?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/16/2020)

Scripture
Revelation 21:1-7
The New Heaven and the New Earth

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 And he said to me, "It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
2.    In his vision, what did John see coming down out of heaven from God? (21:2)
3.    What did the voice that John heard speaking from the throne of God announce? (21:3)
4.    What will life be like in heaven? (21:4)
5.    How did the voice from heaven describe the new world to come? (21:4-5)
6.    What did the one on the throne promise to those who are thirsty? (21:6)
7.    What did the one on the throne promise to those who overcome? (21:7)
8.    What are the implications for us that this present earth will pass away?
9.    In what ways is the promise that God will dwell with us meaningful to you?
10. What does it mean that God will wipe every tear from our eyes?
11. What kind of thirst does God promise to fill in heaven?
12. How should we act in light of the fact that the God of the universe wants to live in us?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/9/2020)

Scripture
Matthew 5:38-48 (ESV)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What character quality more than any other says to the world, "This person is a Christian"?
2.    What ancient rule of life did Jesus challenge here? (5:43)
3.    How did Jesus say we ought to treat our enemies? (5:44)
4.    What did Jesus say we ought to do for those who persecute us? (5:44)
5.    Why did Jesus suggest modifying this universally accepted law? (5:45)
6.    How does God treat righteous and unrighteous people equally? (5:45)
7.    Why is friendliness to friends and relatives not considered exceptional behavior? (5:47)
8.    If our holy God is able to exhibit grace and mercy to everyone, why is it difficult for us to be like Him?
9.    How is it possible for us to love our enemies?
10. What might praying for your enemy change?
11. In what ways does a loving spirit demonstrate that we are God’s people?