Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/19/11)

Announcements:
Tony Huerta went home to be with his Lord yesterday after a long fight with cancer. Please be in prayer for his family.

The countywide Women's Conference to be held on Friday and Saturday, June 24 & 25 at First Baptist Church Junction.  More information and tickets can be found in the church office.

Scripture
John 3:1-17

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except him who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Questions to Reflect Upon
1.    When have you felt like you wanted to start life all over again?
2.    What is required to enter the kingdom of God? (3:5-6)
3.    How did Jesus compare the wind to the Spirit? (3:8)
4.    What is the result of believing in the Son of Man? (3:15, 18)
5.    How did God demonstrate His love for the world? (3:16)
6.    Why did God send His Son into the world? (3:17)
7.    How would you describe what it means to be born again to someone?
8.    What were some of the circumstances that led you to Jesus?
9.    What were some of the things that caused you to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
10.  How does God’s gift of His Son affect our lives?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/12/11)

Scripture
Acts 2:1-21 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." [12] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" [13] But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." [14] But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. [15] For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. [16] But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: [17] " 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; [18] even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. [19] And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; [20] the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. [21] And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Questions for Reflection
1. What was celebrated on the day of Pentecost? (2:1)
2. What group of people was gathered together? (2:1)
3. When the Holy Spirit filled the believers, what did they do? (2:4)
4. How did the God-fearing Jews visiting Jerusalem react when they heard Christians speaking their languages? (2:6-11)
5. Besides being amazed, how did the crowd react to the unusual happening they witnessed? (2:12-13)
6. If you saw the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, how do you think you would have responded? Why?
7. How does God use us to witness to others?
8. When has God enabled you to do something that you didn’t think you could do?
9. How can you be more open to seeing, hearing, and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit in your prayer and Bible reading?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (6/5/11)

Announcements

1. Men’s breakfast at 8:00am this month we invite the women of the church to join us. There will be a group washing windows after breakfast.
2. Middle School and High School youth are invited to go to Six Flags Fiesta Texas Wednesday July 6th. We will leave the church parking lot at 9:00am and will return at 9:00pm. Cost will be $25.00 per person. My newsletter article said June 8th but July 6th is the correct date.

Scripture
Acts 1:1-12 (ESV)
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." [6] So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." [12] Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

Questions to Reflect Upon
1. If you could take a trip somewhere far away, where would you go?
2. What kind of reading material would you take along on a lengthy trip away from home?
3. What gift did Jesus promise to the apostles? (1:4-5)
4. What did the apostles misunderstand? (1:6)
5. How did Jesus answer the apostles’ question? (1:7-8)
6. What task did Jesus assign the apostles? (1:8)
7. When is a time you wanted to move on from a location, job, or difficult relationship but were held back by God’s leading?
8. How do we know when the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives?
9. What specific means (abilities, opportunities, relationships) has God given you to carry out the task of being His witness?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/29/11)

Scripture
Acts 8:26-40 (ESV)
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. [27] And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship [28] and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. [29] And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot." [30] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

"Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
[33] In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth."

[34] And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. [36] And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" [37] And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." [38] And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. [39] And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Questions to Reflect Upon
1. What reading material do you find difficult to understand?
2. What did the angel tell Philip to do? (8:26)
3. Whom did Philip meet on the desert road? (8:27)
4. What was the eunuch’s problem? (8:28-34)
5. How did believing in Christ affect the eunuch? (8:39)
6. What was the eunuch’s attitude as he went on his way? (8:39)
7. How does the Holy Spirit lead us?
8. When has the Holy Spirit led you to speak to someone?
9. How does God use us to take the message of Christ to others?
10. When was the last time you explained the Scriptures to someone else?
11. What fears prevent us from telling others about Christ?
12. What barriers prevent us from helping others understand the message of Christ?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/22/11)

Announcements:

1. Angela Ervin putting together a bake sale for the Junction Fire Department next Saturday May 28th from 8-12 noon. If anyone wants to help or donate baked goods, please contact her at 446-6124.

Scripture:
Psalm 31:1-24 (ESV)
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! [2] Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! [3] For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; [4] you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. [5] Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. [6] I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord. [7] I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, [8] and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. [9] Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. [10] For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. [11] Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. [12] I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. [13] For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. [14] But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." [15] My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! [16] Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! [17] O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. [18] Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt. [19] Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! [20] In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. [21] Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. [22] I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. [23] Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. [24] Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Questions to Reflect Upon:
1. To you, what’s the best example of strength?
2. Whom would you describe as a strong person? Why?
3. Why did David appeal to the Lord for help? (31:1-5)
4. How did David describe the Lord in this passage? (31:2-5, 16, 19-24)
5. How is the Christian view of strength different from the world’s?
6. When have you felt the same emotions that David describes in this psalm?
7. When is it most difficult for you to trust in the Lord?
8. How can we demonstrate our trust in the Lord during difficult times?
9. What does it mean to follow David’s instructions to “be strong and take heart”
10. What do you want to remember the next time you feel overwhelmed or overstressed?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/15/11)

Announcement
Kimble County Residents Honor Our Own Heroes Sunday, May 15, 2011, 1:00 - 3:00 PM Courthouse Lawn Bring a dessert, ice cream or watermelon and your lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. This is a great opportunity to say "THANK YOU!" all together as a group to those who fought the Oasis Wildfire.

Scripture
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Questions to Reflect Upon

1. What possessions do you have that you enjoy sharing with others?
2. Which of your belongings would you not want to share with anyone else? Why?
3. What were the activities of the early church? (2:42)
4. Why might the early Christians have had “everything in common”? (2:44)
5. What were the early believers actually doing when they “broke bread”?
6. When do you most enjoy spending time with other believers?
7. How is the celebration of Communion meaningful to you?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/8/11)

Announcements

1.    Laurie and I are leaving town today at noon for a meeting of the Synod of the Sun. This includes all of the presbyteries in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. We will return Saturday evening.

2.    Today (Thursday, May 5, 2011), the National Day of Prayer is being observed at City Hall on Main Street at 12 noon under the shade trees. The purpose is to join with government leaders and people in communities all around the country to lift our needs and concerns for America before the Lord. All members of the community are encouraged to come and participate in this time of prayer. Please pass the word to your friends and neighbors.

3.    Men's Breakfast will be this Saturday morning at 8 AM!

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 (ESV) 

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, [14] and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. [15] While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. [16] But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. [17] And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. [18] Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" [19] And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, [20] and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. [21] But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. [22] Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, [23] and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. [24] Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." [25] And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

[28] So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, [29] but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. [30] When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. [31] And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. [32] They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" [33] And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, [34] saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" [35] Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Questions to Reflect Upon

1.    When have you ever suddenly understood a truth that had earlier confused you?

2.    What is it like to have an event turn out differently than you had expected?

3.    How had the events of the last few days crushed the expectations of the two men talking with Jesus? (24:21)

4.    What did the men recall after they reflected on their conversation with Jesus? (24:32)

5.    How did these men respond to their encounter with Jesus? (24:33-35)

6.    Why are we so often “slow of heart to believe”?

7.    What great truths has God taught you that you failed to understand at first?

8.    What could you do in the future to prevent yourself from failing to recognize God’s voice?