Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/16/14)

Scripture
Matthew 5:21-37 (ESV)  

    "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'  [22] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.  [23] So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  [25] Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.  [26] Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 

    [27] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'  [28] But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.  [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. 

    [31] "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'  [32] But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 

    [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'  [34] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,  [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  [36] And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.  [37] Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil. 

Questions for Reflection
1. When do you tend to get angry?
2. What sort of realization did Jesus say should interrupt our worship? (5:23)
3. If a person becomes aware of a relational problem, how quickly should he or she act? (5:24)
4. What should be a believer’s goal in strained or shattered relationships? (5:24)
5. When is it best to settle disputes? (5:25)
6. Where is it best to settle disputes? (5:25)
7. Why did Jesus zero in on the emotions behind our violent actions?
8. Why is it necessary to get things right with people before we come to worship God?
9. Why is it preferable for Christians to quietly resolve their differences rather than battle over them publicly?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/9/14)

Scripture
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV) 

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. [14] "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Questions for Reflection

1.  To what valuable substance did Jesus compare His disciples? (5:13)
2. What is an essential characteristic of salt? (5:13)
3. What happens to salt that loses its flavor? (5:13)
4. What did Jesus mean when He called His followers salt?
5. What sort of effect does salt have on food?
6. How do salty things affect us?
7. How can a Christian lose his or her saltiness?
8. What specific behaviors mark the life-style of a salty, shining Christian?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/2/14)

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.

 

Questions for Reflection

1. What was the setting for this sermon? (5:1)
2. Who was Jesus addressing? (5:1-2)
3. How does it pay in the present to walk with God?
4. What do you think it means to be poor in spirit?
5. What does it mean to be meek?
6. How would a person behave if he or she were hungering and thirsting after righteousness?
7. What are some examples of showing mercy?
8. How does society’s list of admirable virtues compare and contrast with these kingdom virtues?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/26/14)

Sunday January 26th following our annual congregational meeting we will have a covered dish luncheon to honor and say thank you to Nancy Nunns and Edith Allen for their many years of service to this congregation.

Scripture
Matthew 4:12-23

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Questions for Reflection

1. If you could pass on some skill or knowledge to an apprentice, what would you want to pass on?
2. What kind of leader do you prefer to follow?
3. What were Simon and Andrew doing when Jesus approached them? (4:18)
4. What exactly did Jesus say to Simon and Andrew? (4:19)
5. How long did Simon and Andrew deliberate over Jesus’ offer? (4:20)
6. What does it mean to be a “fisher of men”?
7. How risky was it for Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop everything (jobs and families) to go with Jesus?
8. What thoughts do you think were racing through their minds as they headed off down the beach with Jesus?
9. How do you think you might have responded had you been fishing with these men and heard Jesus direct this challenge to you?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/19/14)

On Sunday, January 26th, following our annual congregational meeting, we will have a covered dish luncheon to honor and say thank you to Nancy Nunns and Edith Allen for their many years of service to this congregation.

Please be in prayer for Jay Johnson, Jodi Murphy and their families on the loss of their father Steve Johnson. Also, Jean Garrison, Becky Stapper's mother, has been put on hospice.

Scripture
Psalm 139:1-24 (ESV)  
    To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
    O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
    [2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
        you discern my thoughts from afar.
    [3] You search out my path and my lying down
        and are acquainted with all my ways.
    [4] Even before a word is on my tongue,
        behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
    [5] You hem me in, behind and before,
        and lay your hand upon me.
    [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
        it is high; I cannot attain it.
    [7] Where shall I go from your Spirit?
        Or where shall I flee from your presence?
    [8] If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
         If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
    [9] If I take the wings of the morning
        and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
    [10] even there your hand shall lead me,
        and your right hand shall hold me.
    [11] If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
        and the light about me be night,"
    [12] even the darkness is not dark to you;
        the night is bright as the day,
        for darkness is as light with you.
    [13] For you formed my inward parts;
        you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
    [14] I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
     Wonderful are your works;
        my soul knows it very well.
    [15] My frame was not hidden from you,
    when I was being made in secret,
        intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
    [16] Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
    in your book were written, every one of them,
        the days that were formed for me,
        when as yet there were none of them.
    [17] How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
        How vast is the sum of them!
    [18] If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
        I awake, and I am still with you.
    [19] Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
        O men of blood, depart from me!
    [20] They speak against you with malicious intent;
        your enemies take your name in vain!
    [21] Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
        And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
    [22] I hate them with complete hatred;
        I count them my enemies.
    [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart!
         Try me and know my thoughts!
    [24] And see if there be any grievous way in me,
        and lead me in the way everlasting!

Questions for Reflection
1. What is something about you or your personality that is totally unique?
2. How did David describe God’s knowledge of him? (139:1-6)
3. What main prayer request is presented to the Lord in this psalm? (139:1-24)
4. What attitude did David have toward himself and the Lord? Why? (139:1-24)
5. Why did God know David so well? (139:13-15)
6. Why did David want the Lord to examine his heart? (139:23-24)
7. In light of this passage, what attitude should we have toward ourselves? toward the Lord?
8. In what area of your life do you desire God’s leading?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/12/14)

Scripture
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? (3:14)
3. How did Jesus respond to John’s reluctance? (3:15)
4. How did the Spirit of God play a role in the baptism of Jesus? (3:16)
5. Why do you think John felt awkward about baptizing Jesus?
6. What do we tell the world by being baptized?
7. What could you do today for Christ out of obedience and respect for Him?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/5/14)

Don't forget that we are having men's breakfast tomorrow morning. Come and join us.

Scripture for Sunday

John 1:1 (ESV) 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 1:10-18 (ESV) 

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. [11] He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [15] ( John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.' ") [16] And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Questions for Reflection

1.  Why didn’t the world recognize the light? (1:10)
2. What is the benefit of receiving or believing in the Word? (1:12)
3. How and why did the Word make His dwelling among us? (1:14)
4. Whose glory did the Word reveal? (1:14)
5. What insights can you gain from seeing Jesus as God’s Word?
6. How did Jesus reveal God’s glory to us?
7. What will you do this week to better enjoy your status as a child of God?