(Brian) I should have the lesson online shortly.
Key verses: Ephesians 2:8-10.
"Freedom From Fear" David M. Kennedy- references to Kristallnacht, the Fortune Magazine poll, SS St. Louis failed attempt at bringing Jews to the US, etc.
"The Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision (Shelli Norvell has this book for May, let me know if you want to read it in June or beyond.) http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/
Various comparative information regarding Malawi and the US: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mi.html
Kurt Warner's new contract
Williamson County 'wealthiest' county in the US when factoring in cost of living: http://www.coli.org/COLIAdjustedMHI.asp
Showing posts with label lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lesson. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Redemption 'Finale'
(Brian) Since we didn't do a planned lesson, here are some notes and comments from people following class:
After our incredible discussion and time together yesterday, I received this devotion. I thought it was very relevant to the faith issues we discussed yesterday. I hope it impacts you.
Aaron
If you accept that there was a Resurrection that will not necessarily lead to any active or transformative faith. (Of course God could raise up Jesus if he wanted to. Mere belief in miracles does not transform us.) But if you can trust that God would do the same for you, then you also will be changed, and you can begin to change the world. The Resurrection was not a miracle to prove that Jesus was in union with God, although it does have that effect. It is the revelation of how God does things in all of time!
Just saying “Wow!” about Jesus being raised from the dead, does nothing for God, for the world, or for you. It is the same excitement as a magic show. But if you can say “Wow!” about what can and is happening now, then the Mystery of Resurrection has moved into our space and our time—and all time. Resurrection is God’s job description, not a one time magic show.
- From Richard Rohr
After our incredible discussion and time together yesterday, I received this devotion. I thought it was very relevant to the faith issues we discussed yesterday. I hope it impacts you.
Aaron
If you accept that there was a Resurrection that will not necessarily lead to any active or transformative faith. (Of course God could raise up Jesus if he wanted to. Mere belief in miracles does not transform us.) But if you can trust that God would do the same for you, then you also will be changed, and you can begin to change the world. The Resurrection was not a miracle to prove that Jesus was in union with God, although it does have that effect. It is the revelation of how God does things in all of time!
Just saying “Wow!” about Jesus being raised from the dead, does nothing for God, for the world, or for you. It is the same excitement as a magic show. But if you can say “Wow!” about what can and is happening now, then the Mystery of Resurrection has moved into our space and our time—and all time. Resurrection is God’s job description, not a one time magic show.
- From Richard Rohr
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Financial Basics
GIVING: Its important to give to God first before anything else.
Think of the Widow who gave her last penny, Mark 12:38.
Proverbs 3:9 "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Financial Pyramid
Step 1: Foundation: Term Life Insurance, Emergency Fund
Money Market- best rates at: http://www.bankrate.com/kip/ (much better rates than savings accounts)
Example: www.GMACBank.com, 2.71% interest, no minimum investment
Basic: Get $1,000 for emergencies only. Recommended- 3 to 6 month of expenses.
Also: Life Happens Fund- for helping family, car repairs, etc.
Joseph- 7 years of plenty, 7 years of famine
Step 2: Stronger footing:
Proverbs 22:7- "The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power"
(not anti-credit- but I’d much better to be making interest than paying it)
Lowering or getting out of debt- Krista
Know what you owe; Make a list of outstanding debts
Step 3: Planting seeds for the future:
Proverbs 13:22- "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."
JACOB & TRISTAN STORY- A Tale of Two College Kids
Kids college funds: www.collegesavingsiowa.com $25 minimum investment
www.upromise.com A percentage of purchases goes into your kids college fund- Publix, Krogers, online shopping, etc
Retirement: Basics- Index Funds track the market- Vanguard, Fidelity, etc. IRA/401k
Big Purchases- Pay for your car before you buy it:
Luke 14:28 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?"
$15,000 car, paying 10% interest rate, over 48 months. With interest, the car will cost you $18,261.06
$15,000 car, saving at 2.5% interest rate, over 48 months. Subtract interest, the car will cost you $14,221.90
Exact same car, $4,039.16 less.
Once you pay for your car, keep making payments into a money market fund.
Recommended books: Ron Blue: Mastering Your Money
Dave Ramsey: Financial Peace
Classes: Crown Financial, Financial Peace
Proverbs 3:9 "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Financial Pyramid
Step 1: Foundation: Term Life Insurance, Emergency Fund
Money Market- best rates at: http://www.bankrate.com/kip/ (much better rates than savings accounts)
Example: www.GMACBank.com, 2.71% interest, no minimum investment
Basic: Get $1,000 for emergencies only. Recommended- 3 to 6 month of expenses.
Also: Life Happens Fund- for helping family, car repairs, etc.
Joseph- 7 years of plenty, 7 years of famine
Step 2: Stronger footing:
Proverbs 22:7- "The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power"
(not anti-credit- but I’d much better to be making interest than paying it)
Lowering or getting out of debt- Krista
Know what you owe; Make a list of outstanding debts
Step 3: Planting seeds for the future:
Proverbs 13:22- "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."
JACOB & TRISTAN STORY- A Tale of Two College Kids
Kids college funds: www.collegesavingsiowa.com $25 minimum investment
www.upromise.com A percentage of purchases goes into your kids college fund- Publix, Krogers, online shopping, etc
Retirement: Basics- Index Funds track the market- Vanguard, Fidelity, etc. IRA/401k
Big Purchases- Pay for your car before you buy it:
Luke 14:28 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?"
$15,000 car, paying 10% interest rate, over 48 months. With interest, the car will cost you $18,261.06
$15,000 car, saving at 2.5% interest rate, over 48 months. Subtract interest, the car will cost you $14,221.90
Exact same car, $4,039.16 less.
Once you pay for your car, keep making payments into a money market fund.
Recommended books: Ron Blue: Mastering Your Money
Dave Ramsey: Financial Peace
Classes: Crown Financial, Financial Peace
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Louis Kathman's Visit and Lesson
Notes from Louis' visit to our class and their ministry:
Louis' website is: www.myspace.com/allforjesusmusic Some key points:
God is in sovereign control of the recession. He expects us to be faithful in our giving of tithes and offerings EVEN during a recession Malachi 3:6-11. He alone gives us the ability to create and sustain wealth. He alone can take that away and give it at his discretion. God has blessed us financially primarily to advance His kingdom. True believers are driven to advance the Kingdom of God. False believers are not. We live in a world where if you make 5,000 per year you are wealthier than 86% of the world's population. If you make 50,000 per year, you make more money than 99% of the world's population. Key verses: Matthew 6:19-20 Luke 12:32-34 Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew 7:21-23
A $5 Chinese Bible distributed through www.worldhelp.net impacts as many as 300 people with the Gospel. An $1800 deep bore water well through Operation Blessing's Living Water Well program gives water to thousands of people the rest of their lives in continents like Africa and countries like India (www.cbn.com). A group of Christians like your Sunday school class CAN change the world! One more thought Jesus is referred in John and Revelation as the Word of God. Jesus and the Bible(Word of God) are inextractable. You can guage your love for Jesus by your love and use of the Bible. Blessings!
Louis' website is: www.myspace.com/allforjesusmusic Some key points:
God is in sovereign control of the recession. He expects us to be faithful in our giving of tithes and offerings EVEN during a recession Malachi 3:6-11. He alone gives us the ability to create and sustain wealth. He alone can take that away and give it at his discretion. God has blessed us financially primarily to advance His kingdom. True believers are driven to advance the Kingdom of God. False believers are not. We live in a world where if you make 5,000 per year you are wealthier than 86% of the world's population. If you make 50,000 per year, you make more money than 99% of the world's population. Key verses: Matthew 6:19-20 Luke 12:32-34 Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew 7:21-23
A $5 Chinese Bible distributed through www.worldhelp.net impacts as many as 300 people with the Gospel. An $1800 deep bore water well through Operation Blessing's Living Water Well program gives water to thousands of people the rest of their lives in continents like Africa and countries like India (www.cbn.com). A group of Christians like your Sunday school class CAN change the world! One more thought Jesus is referred in John and Revelation as the Word of God. Jesus and the Bible(Word of God) are inextractable. You can guage your love for Jesus by your love and use of the Bible. Blessings!
A New, New Year’s Resolution
clip from The Bucket List
Who finds it easy to tell other people about Jesus?
II. Follow-up from last week’s lesson.
a. What was special about Thessalonica?
i. It was a prosperous city.
ii. Geographically it was located in the NW corner of the Aegean Sea. It was the harbour where Xerxes had his naval base when he invaded Europe.
iii. It was a free city and there were no Roman troops housed in this city.
iv. For a time there was a question of whether Thessalonica or Constantinople would be recognized as the capital of the world.
v. The main street of Thessalonica lay astride the Egnatian Road which linked Rome with the East. East and West converged on Thessalonica
vi. Lap of the Roman Empire
vii. Trade came to the city from the East and the West and if Christianity got a foothold here it would spread East to Asia and to the West to Rome which would make Christianity a world religion.
iii. It was part of Macedonia which was the kingdom of Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great dreamed of one world dominated by Greece in culture and Philosophy. He wanted to marry the East and West. Macedonia included Thessalonica which was named after Alexander’s father and Philippi which was named after Alexander’s father. Paul embraced the philosophy of Alexander the Great but as a world for Christ rather than for Greece.
b. Why did Paul go to Macedonia?
Read Acts 16:6-10
Paul was driven to the Aegean Sea by the Holy Spirit
c. How long was Paul in Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:2
About 3 weeks
d. Why did Paul leave Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:10
Paul was driven out of Thessalonica to Berea which was 50 miles west
Read Acts 17:13-15
He was driven out of Berea to Athens which was 200 miles to the south, leaving Silas and Timothy behind.
Read Acts 17:14-15
He called for Silas and Timothy to come to Thessalonica
He then sent Timothy to Thessalonica for an update.
Read Acts 18
Timothy met Paul in Corinth to report on the church at Thessalonica. He told Paul that they were “enduring bravely” and their efforts were not for nothing.
e. What significance do we learn from Paul’s mission in Thessalonica?
More on that to come.
III. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2
How does Paul start this letter and why?
It’s always good to start off positive and not put people on the defensive. The best way to eradicate a man’s faults is to praise his virtues.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3
What does Paul state that are the 3 main ingredients of the Christian Life
a. Work-inspired by faith. What are the reasons you work. This refers to your job, your marriage, and your children.
b. Labour prompted by Love. What is the difference between work and labour. Work is towards a goal. Labour is the energy put into to working towards a goal.
c. Endurance founded on hope. Endurance keeps you going
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4
It’s very easy to overlook a phrase in this as just biblical language. That phrase is “beloved by God.” This phrase was reserved in Jewish culture for only great men which included Moses and Solomon and the nation of Israel itself.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:5
God is present and is in the message.
Miracles took place. What are some modern miracles?
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6
There were imitators. We need models. Who do you model your life or your walk after?
I think that this is another mention that should lead us to consider having a mentor. More on that to come.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7
You can be an example to the world of fortitude under persecution.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Sounding forth like a trumpet.
What kind of picture does this put in your mind. Is this a society of timid folks? No. This was a brave announcement that something had changed. I think that we need a change in this city, this church, and this Sunday school class. I think we need some trumpet blowers and I put myself at the head of the line.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9
This message that Paul is preaching should turn people from idols and towards God to serve. Anybody willing to admit they have an idol problem that takes them away from God’s work? What about work, bible study, television, fitness, etc.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Paul could not wait for Christ’s return
IV. How many of you are happy with the world as it is now?
Back to the significance of Paul’s mission in Thessalonica.
As we have already discussed:
We can draw a parallel with Thessalonica and Franklin.
We can view opposition in our world today as was present then. One could argue in our nation that it was worse in Thessalonica than it is in the US. Look at the situation in China.
To Paul, Thessalonica was a test case. That is why he so desperately awaited Timothy’s report on the status of the church. Could he accomplish what he wanted on his mission in 3 weeks or would it take months or years.
Read Acts 17:4-6
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9
Was Paul’s mission in Thessalonica successful?
Without a doubt. Their work was heralded all over Greece.
Are you ready to “turn the world upside down?”
Conclusion:
If all this is similar, I would put forth that we can be successful and we can turn the world upside down. You just have to decide if this is what you want to do. Does this appeal to anybody? Who wants this?
It’s a good time of year for resolutions.
I need to tell ____________________ about Jesus.
How would you fill in this blank?
Challenge: I challenge you to talk to that person about Jesus. It may be a friend. It may be a co-worker. It could even be a relative. This could be an easy or difficult conversation. The only thing that I know is that you won’t be alone. Be prayerful. I bet that if we can start this, it will be something that becomes easier and something that becomes integral in our lives.
Who finds it easy to tell other people about Jesus?
II. Follow-up from last week’s lesson.
a. What was special about Thessalonica?
i. It was a prosperous city.
ii. Geographically it was located in the NW corner of the Aegean Sea. It was the harbour where Xerxes had his naval base when he invaded Europe.
iii. It was a free city and there were no Roman troops housed in this city.
iv. For a time there was a question of whether Thessalonica or Constantinople would be recognized as the capital of the world.
v. The main street of Thessalonica lay astride the Egnatian Road which linked Rome with the East. East and West converged on Thessalonica
vi. Lap of the Roman Empire
vii. Trade came to the city from the East and the West and if Christianity got a foothold here it would spread East to Asia and to the West to Rome which would make Christianity a world religion.
iii. It was part of Macedonia which was the kingdom of Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great dreamed of one world dominated by Greece in culture and Philosophy. He wanted to marry the East and West. Macedonia included Thessalonica which was named after Alexander’s father and Philippi which was named after Alexander’s father. Paul embraced the philosophy of Alexander the Great but as a world for Christ rather than for Greece.
b. Why did Paul go to Macedonia?
Read Acts 16:6-10
Paul was driven to the Aegean Sea by the Holy Spirit
c. How long was Paul in Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:2
About 3 weeks
d. Why did Paul leave Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:10
Paul was driven out of Thessalonica to Berea which was 50 miles west
Read Acts 17:13-15
He was driven out of Berea to Athens which was 200 miles to the south, leaving Silas and Timothy behind.
Read Acts 17:14-15
He called for Silas and Timothy to come to Thessalonica
He then sent Timothy to Thessalonica for an update.
Read Acts 18
Timothy met Paul in Corinth to report on the church at Thessalonica. He told Paul that they were “enduring bravely” and their efforts were not for nothing.
e. What significance do we learn from Paul’s mission in Thessalonica?
More on that to come.
III. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2
How does Paul start this letter and why?
It’s always good to start off positive and not put people on the defensive. The best way to eradicate a man’s faults is to praise his virtues.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3
What does Paul state that are the 3 main ingredients of the Christian Life
a. Work-inspired by faith. What are the reasons you work. This refers to your job, your marriage, and your children.
b. Labour prompted by Love. What is the difference between work and labour. Work is towards a goal. Labour is the energy put into to working towards a goal.
c. Endurance founded on hope. Endurance keeps you going
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4
It’s very easy to overlook a phrase in this as just biblical language. That phrase is “beloved by God.” This phrase was reserved in Jewish culture for only great men which included Moses and Solomon and the nation of Israel itself.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:5
God is present and is in the message.
Miracles took place. What are some modern miracles?
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6
There were imitators. We need models. Who do you model your life or your walk after?
I think that this is another mention that should lead us to consider having a mentor. More on that to come.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7
You can be an example to the world of fortitude under persecution.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Sounding forth like a trumpet.
What kind of picture does this put in your mind. Is this a society of timid folks? No. This was a brave announcement that something had changed. I think that we need a change in this city, this church, and this Sunday school class. I think we need some trumpet blowers and I put myself at the head of the line.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9
This message that Paul is preaching should turn people from idols and towards God to serve. Anybody willing to admit they have an idol problem that takes them away from God’s work? What about work, bible study, television, fitness, etc.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Paul could not wait for Christ’s return
IV. How many of you are happy with the world as it is now?
Back to the significance of Paul’s mission in Thessalonica.
As we have already discussed:
We can draw a parallel with Thessalonica and Franklin.
We can view opposition in our world today as was present then. One could argue in our nation that it was worse in Thessalonica than it is in the US. Look at the situation in China.
To Paul, Thessalonica was a test case. That is why he so desperately awaited Timothy’s report on the status of the church. Could he accomplish what he wanted on his mission in 3 weeks or would it take months or years.
Read Acts 17:4-6
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9
Was Paul’s mission in Thessalonica successful?
Without a doubt. Their work was heralded all over Greece.
Are you ready to “turn the world upside down?”
Conclusion:
If all this is similar, I would put forth that we can be successful and we can turn the world upside down. You just have to decide if this is what you want to do. Does this appeal to anybody? Who wants this?
It’s a good time of year for resolutions.
I need to tell ____________________ about Jesus.
How would you fill in this blank?
Challenge: I challenge you to talk to that person about Jesus. It may be a friend. It may be a co-worker. It could even be a relative. This could be an easy or difficult conversation. The only thing that I know is that you won’t be alone. Be prayerful. I bet that if we can start this, it will be something that becomes easier and something that becomes integral in our lives.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Focus Verse: Galatians 3:9- So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
I. What is Faith?
Read Romans 4:13-25
Abraham held a special place in the hearts of the Jews. He was the founder of their nation. He was the man to whom God had first spoken and he obeyed.
Read Genesis 12:1-5
Read Genesis 13:14-17
God is asking Abraham to take him at his work. He is telling him that if he makes this leap of faith, he will become the father of a great nation and people.
At the crux of this event is the manifest difference between Jewish law or works and Christian Faith. What is it?
Abraham acted in faith before the Law came into being
Jews felt they had to earn God’s favour. Christians felt they could never earn God’s favour. All they can do is take God at his word that his promises are true.
There are 2 Greek words for promise. Huposchesis means I promise to do this and you promise to do that. Epaggelia means a promise made out of the goodness of someone’s heart and made unconditionally. This is the one that was used by Paul in romans.
II. Now that we realize how we can be in a right relationship with God, how can we give that as a gift to our children.
Read James 2:14-26
Whereas some argue that this passage represents a dichotomy between James and Paul, that is not the case.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:8
Read Matthew 5:14-16
William Barclay states that the twin truths of the Christian Church are “we are not saved by deeds, we are saved for deeds.”
We give our faith as a gift through our actions. We live our lives in such a manner that what we claim to believe is evident.
When in your life have you been the best example of your faith to your children?
How did your parents best demonstrate their faith for you as a child?
III. What does this gift provide.
As our children grow and inch closer to adulthood and independence, we have to come to the realization that we will not always be to teach and protect. We will really want to. Has anybody ever taken their kids to school and want to go in so be there to support them for that test they aren’t sure if they did enough for or to stand up for that kid that is saying mean things about them. I have. However I know that I can’t. Somebody can though.
A. Source of Comfort and Strength
Read Psalm 23:4
The verse says I, not we.
Has anybody ever faced down a fearful situation, one they may just as well have not faced, but experienced the comfort of God and this got them trough it?
B. Source of Protection
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9
C. Source of Healing
Most of us have been up in the middle of the night with sick kids, gotten sneezed and snotted on (sometimes worse), and we would do it again. While we never physically healed our kids, we were there to see them through it. One day we will have to send our kids out and they will be alone as they face all kinds of illness from colds to addictions to accidents and sometimes worse. The great thing is that God has dominion over all illness and frequently it was Faith that resulted in healing.
Read Mark 5:25-34
Read Mark 5: 35-43
Read Mark 10:46-52
D. Source of Justification
Read Romans 3:21-25
Even though it is our sin that separates us from God, because of Jesus, we are able to approach God and he can see us through his loving eyes, as innocent.
E. Source of Eternal Life
Read John 3:16
IV. Marriage
Read 1 Peter 3:1-7
Christianity broke all of the social barriers that were in place for women.
In Roman civilization there was the Patria potestas- daughters were under the rule of their father until they married and then they fell under the rule of the husband.
In Greek civilization, a husband could divorce his wife on a whim as long as he returned the dowry.
Christianity introduced the concept of reciprocal ethic. Christianity believes that a marriage is based on reciprocal obligation. For each privilege there is a reciprocal obligation.
If your Christian faith is brought into your marriage and embraced, verses like Matthew 19:26 will take on new meaning.
Divorce statistics- began to rise in the late’60s, skyrocketed in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
-rate peaked in 1981 at 5.3 divorces per 1000 people.
-dropped by 1/3 to 3.6 in 2007.
-Why has the drop occurred.
I believe that if you bring your faith into your marriage, and live it, you will give your children the gift of family that they can take with them into their own children and pass on to their children.
Challenge- Live your faith this week and this Christmas so that your children see it and make note of it and then continue this into the new year.
I. What is Faith?
Read Romans 4:13-25
Abraham held a special place in the hearts of the Jews. He was the founder of their nation. He was the man to whom God had first spoken and he obeyed.
Read Genesis 12:1-5
Read Genesis 13:14-17
God is asking Abraham to take him at his work. He is telling him that if he makes this leap of faith, he will become the father of a great nation and people.
At the crux of this event is the manifest difference between Jewish law or works and Christian Faith. What is it?
Abraham acted in faith before the Law came into being
Jews felt they had to earn God’s favour. Christians felt they could never earn God’s favour. All they can do is take God at his word that his promises are true.
There are 2 Greek words for promise. Huposchesis means I promise to do this and you promise to do that. Epaggelia means a promise made out of the goodness of someone’s heart and made unconditionally. This is the one that was used by Paul in romans.
II. Now that we realize how we can be in a right relationship with God, how can we give that as a gift to our children.
Read James 2:14-26
Whereas some argue that this passage represents a dichotomy between James and Paul, that is not the case.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:8
Read Matthew 5:14-16
William Barclay states that the twin truths of the Christian Church are “we are not saved by deeds, we are saved for deeds.”
We give our faith as a gift through our actions. We live our lives in such a manner that what we claim to believe is evident.
When in your life have you been the best example of your faith to your children?
How did your parents best demonstrate their faith for you as a child?
III. What does this gift provide.
As our children grow and inch closer to adulthood and independence, we have to come to the realization that we will not always be to teach and protect. We will really want to. Has anybody ever taken their kids to school and want to go in so be there to support them for that test they aren’t sure if they did enough for or to stand up for that kid that is saying mean things about them. I have. However I know that I can’t. Somebody can though.
A. Source of Comfort and Strength
Read Psalm 23:4
The verse says I, not we.
Has anybody ever faced down a fearful situation, one they may just as well have not faced, but experienced the comfort of God and this got them trough it?
B. Source of Protection
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9
C. Source of Healing
Most of us have been up in the middle of the night with sick kids, gotten sneezed and snotted on (sometimes worse), and we would do it again. While we never physically healed our kids, we were there to see them through it. One day we will have to send our kids out and they will be alone as they face all kinds of illness from colds to addictions to accidents and sometimes worse. The great thing is that God has dominion over all illness and frequently it was Faith that resulted in healing.
Read Mark 5:25-34
Read Mark 5: 35-43
Read Mark 10:46-52
D. Source of Justification
Read Romans 3:21-25
Even though it is our sin that separates us from God, because of Jesus, we are able to approach God and he can see us through his loving eyes, as innocent.
E. Source of Eternal Life
Read John 3:16
IV. Marriage
Read 1 Peter 3:1-7
Christianity broke all of the social barriers that were in place for women.
In Roman civilization there was the Patria potestas- daughters were under the rule of their father until they married and then they fell under the rule of the husband.
In Greek civilization, a husband could divorce his wife on a whim as long as he returned the dowry.
Christianity introduced the concept of reciprocal ethic. Christianity believes that a marriage is based on reciprocal obligation. For each privilege there is a reciprocal obligation.
If your Christian faith is brought into your marriage and embraced, verses like Matthew 19:26 will take on new meaning.
Divorce statistics- began to rise in the late’60s, skyrocketed in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
-rate peaked in 1981 at 5.3 divorces per 1000 people.
-dropped by 1/3 to 3.6 in 2007.
-Why has the drop occurred.
I believe that if you bring your faith into your marriage, and live it, you will give your children the gift of family that they can take with them into their own children and pass on to their children.
Challenge- Live your faith this week and this Christmas so that your children see it and make note of it and then continue this into the new year.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
(Just click on the map to see the full version)
The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, the thirteenth book of the NT. Most scholars are agreed that 1 Thessalonians is the first Pauline Letter, written about A.D. 50. The amanuensis (scribe) was Luke.
Outline of Content
I. Greeting (1:1)
II. Thanksgiving (1:2-10)
III. Apostolic behavior (2:1-12)
IV. Reception of the Gospel (2:13-16)
V. The apostle’s continuing concern for the church (2:17-3:13)
VI. Ethical exhortations (4:1-12)
VII. Instructions about the Parousia (4:13-5:11)
VIII.Exhortations about life in the church (5:12-24)
IX. Letter closing (5:25-28)
Paul, Timothy, and Silas are co-authors of this letter to the Christian community at Thessalonica, a fact supported by the predominant use of the first person plural (‘we’). Paul and his co-workers arrived there after having experienced much conflict in Philippi (Acts 16:11-40; 1 Thess. 2:2).
Thessalonica, so named by Cassander (one of Alexander’s generals) after his wife who was the daughter of Philip and the sister of Alexander the Great, was founded about 316 B.C. When Macedonia became a Roman province in 148 B.C., Thessalonica became the most important city of the province and the center of Roman administration.
Background
Both 1 Thessalonians (1:9-10) and Acts (17:4) suggest that the Thessalonian church was composed of Jews and Gentiles. Further, according to the account in Acts, Paul and his co-workers (Timothy and Silas), encountered sharp opposition instigated by the Jews and were eventually forced to leave Thessalonica because of this conflict.
In addition to a strong Jewish presence in Thessalonica, we know that several religious cults of the Greco-Roman world were active in this leading city of the province and seat of Roman administration, including the cult of Serapis and the cult of the Cabiri. Paul’s description of his apostolic practice in 2:1-12, his ethical advice in 4:1-8, as well as his teaching about the return of Christ (Gk. parousia) in 4:13-5:11 may be better understood with this background in mind, a background in which Paul’s missionary style and teaching would have differed enormously from that of his competitors, with their sexual immorality and their varied expectations of the afterlife.
Content
Paul’s affectionate letter to the church of the Thessalonians begins with his remembering their ‘work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1:3). This same trilogy occurs again in 5:8: ‘…put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.’ In chap. 3 we learn that Paul, who is probably writing this letter from Corinth, is anxious about the current status of the Thessalonian church.
The overall context of the Letter is that hope is precisely the element that is deficient and needs to be strengthened.
Despite Paul’s affection and high regard for these Christians whose faith served as ‘an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia’ (1:7), he must correct and clarify one major area of misunderstanding: the status of those who have already died in Christ since the end has not yet come.
The Thessalonian Christian should not grieve as others do who have no hope ‘concerning those who are asleep.’ This problem surfaced when some in the community died prior to the eagerly expected imminent Parousia and this anxiety may well have been fueled by those outside the church who mocked what seemed to them the absurdity of Christian claims.
Two final observations: first, it is noteworthy that ‘justification language,’ used predominately in Galatians and Romans, is absent in 1 Thessalonians, although Paul does use here, as in Romans, the terms ‘sanctification’ and ‘salvation.’ In 1 Thess. 4:3, 4, 7 and 5:23, sanctification refers to the quality of new life in Christ, which will culminate in salvation (5:8, 9). Second, it is significant for the study of the development of the structure in the NT that already in 1 Thessalonians there is a reference to an organizational pattern: ‘But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work’ (5:12-13).
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thorn In The Flesh
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
2 Cor 12: 7-10 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
INTRODUCTION
1. Paul tells of "a thorn in the flesh" which greatly bothered him.
a. It was something for which he prayed the Lord to remove from him.
b. The Lord did not do so, but gave Paul an answer that greatly encouraged him.
2. We might not be able to know exactly what the "thorn" was, but there are some valuable lessons to be gleaned as we consider...
a. Why this "thorn" was given to Paul?
b. Paul's initial reaction to the "thorn".
c. His reaction to the answer given him by the Lord.
I. WHAT WAS PAUL'S "THORN IN THE FLESH"?
A. SEVERAL PHYSICAL AILMENTS:
1. A pain in the ear or head (Tertullian)
2. Unruly fleshly lusts (medieval commentators)
3. Stammering speech (MacKnight)
4. Malarial fever (Ramsay)
5. Acute eye problems (Farrar and others)
a. Eye inflammation
b. Based upon comments in Gal 4:13-15; 6:11
c. Possibly brought on initially by the blinding vision on the Damascus road
B. "INFIRMITIES" PAUL SUFFERED:
1. The persecutions he suffered as an apostle of Christ
2. Reasons for this view:
a. In the OT adversaries are sometimes referred to as "thorns in your sides" (Numbers 33:55; Judges 2:3)
b. The term "messenger" in Paul's writings refer to a person
c. The basic topic of 2 Cor 10-13 is Paul's opponents, those who were troubling the Corinthians and Paul himself
d. Paul parallels the "thorn" with a "weakness" (or infirmity) in which he will glory; in the context of 2 Cor 10-13 he connects his weakness with persecution -2Cor 11:30-33; 12:10; 13:3-4
II. WHY WAS THE "THORN" GIVEN?
A. LEST PAUL BE "EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE" (2 Cor 12:7)...
1. Paul had been blessed to receive many revelations...
a. On the road to Damascus - Acts 9:3-6,
b. In Jerusalem - Acts 22:17-21,
c. At Troas - Acts 16:8-10,
d. In Corinth - Acts 18:9-11,
e. In Jerusalem again - Acts 23:11,
f. On his way to Rome - Acts 27:22-25,
g. The vision of Paradise - 2Cor 12:1-6
2. It would have been quite easy...
a. For Paul to be filled with pride over these revelations
b. For the church to exalt him too highly
B. THERE IS A PRACTICAL LESSON RELATED TO HUMILITY...
1. Humility is a necessary trait for God's people - Luke 18:13-14; 1 Peter 5:5-6
2. Sometimes it is useful to have "outside help" to keep us humble!
III. PAUL'S REACTION TO THE "THORN"
A. BEING HUMAN, HE WANTED TO GET RID OF IT! (2 Cor 12:8)...
1. He pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it
2. Just as the Lord Himself prayed in the garden at Gethsemane - Luke 22:39-43
3. Notice the interesting similarities between Paul and the Lord...
a. Both prayed three times
b. Both did not receive the answer for which they prayed
c. But they both received answers that were sufficient...
1) An angel came to minister to Christ
2) The Lord told Paul:
a) "My grace is sufficient for you"
b) "My strength is made perfect in weakness"
B. THIS SHOULD REMIND US OF CERTAIN PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER...
1. We are to pray with persistence - Luke 18:1-8
2. We are to pray in earnest - Matthew 7:7
3. We are to pray specifically (as Paul did) -- Yet God knows what is best for us, so the answer may not be what we wish.
IV. PAUL'S REACTION TO THE LORD'S ANSWER
A. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LORD'S ANSWER (2 Cor 12:9a)...
1. "My grace is sufficient for you"
a. The Lord would give Paul what he "needed"
b. But not necessarily what he "wanted"
2. "My strength is made perfect in weakness"
a. It is in times of weakness and hardship that the Lord's strength can be experienced most completely.
b. For in such times we really come to depend upon the Lord, and not upon our own strength or wisdom.
B. NOW CONSIDER PAUL'S REACTION...
1. "I will boast in my infirmities" – 2 Cor 12:9b
a. Rather than complain about his trying circumstances, he will glory in them!
b. For it is in such infirmities that he has the opportunity to experience the power of Christ in his life as He helps him deal with them.
2. "I take pleasure in infirmities...for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." – 2 Cor 12:10
a. Infirmities can be a time for rejoicing! - Romans 5:3a
b. For that can be a time in which to experience the strength Christ gives, and the development of character that pleases Him - Romans 5:3b-5; James 1:2-4
CONCLUSION
1. It may be impossible to determine exactly the nature of "Paul's Thorn In The Flesh"
a. Some commentators believe that this ambiguity was by design
b. Otherwise, those with other "infirmities" may think the spiritual lessons are not for them
2. But from a perplexing passage, we can glean powerful principles applicable to all...
a. In time of infirmity, pray!
b. But don't be surprised if the answer to your prayers are similar to those given to Paul
1) "My grace is sufficient for you"
2) "My strength is made perfect in weakness"
c. The Lord may choose not to remove the infirmity...
1) Instead, He may choose to give you the strength to endure it
2) If so, then rejoice that power of Christ rests upon you!
As we close, think about the Lord's statement as it relates to the problem of SIN, and the SALVATION He offers ("My grace is sufficient for you")... – Titus 3:4-7
WRAP-UP
The model of the apostle Paul:
1. Admit your weaknesses
2. Be content with your weaknesses
3. Honestly share your weaknesses
4. Glory in your weaknesses
Admit my weaknesses. I need to admit not only that I have weaknesses, but admit specific weaknesses. When I am honest with myself I can learn how God wants to use my weaknesses.
Be content with my weaknesses. By being content with my weaknesses I am telling God that I trust that He knows what is best for me. My weaknesses will increase my dependence on God. They can also cause me to draw closer to other believers as I share my weaknesses with them and help others who share the same weaknesses.
Honestly share my weaknesses. Ministry begins with vulnerability. I need to share my failures, feelings, frustrations and fears so I can be an example of humility to others. By admitting my weaknesses I build credibility with others.
Glory in your weaknesses. I need to see my weaknesses as a "trophy of grace" that shows just how incredible and faithful God has been in working in my life. God can turn my weaknesses intro strengths. The very things that bother, embarrass and humiliate me most can be used by God for His glory.
Are you thinking that God wouldn't use you because you do not have any big weaknesses. Be convinced that God is going to use you to do incredible things because you are completely messed up -- and yet His grace is greater still.
My weakness:
My action:
Scriptures Referenced in Lesson:
2 Cor 12: 7-10 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Gal 4:13-15 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Gal 6:11 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
2 Cor 11:30-3330 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
2 Cor 13:3-43 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
Acts 9:3-63 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Acts 22:17-21 17 "When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. 'Quick!' he said. 'Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.' 19 " 'Lord,' I replied, 'these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr [a] Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' 21 "Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' "
Acts 16:8-108 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 18:9-119 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Acts 23:1111 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
Acts 27:22-2522 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
2Cor 12:1-61 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about someone like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,
Luke 18:13-1413 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
1 Peter 5:5-65 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Luke 22:39-4339 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
Luke 18:1-8 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!' " 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Matt 7:7 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Romans 5:3-5 3 Not only so, but we [a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Titus 3:4-7 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
2 Cor 12: 7-10 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
INTRODUCTION
1. Paul tells of "a thorn in the flesh" which greatly bothered him.
a. It was something for which he prayed the Lord to remove from him.
b. The Lord did not do so, but gave Paul an answer that greatly encouraged him.
2. We might not be able to know exactly what the "thorn" was, but there are some valuable lessons to be gleaned as we consider...
a. Why this "thorn" was given to Paul?
b. Paul's initial reaction to the "thorn".
c. His reaction to the answer given him by the Lord.
I. WHAT WAS PAUL'S "THORN IN THE FLESH"?
A. SEVERAL PHYSICAL AILMENTS:
1. A pain in the ear or head (Tertullian)
2. Unruly fleshly lusts (medieval commentators)
3. Stammering speech (MacKnight)
4. Malarial fever (Ramsay)
5. Acute eye problems (Farrar and others)
a. Eye inflammation
b. Based upon comments in Gal 4:13-15; 6:11
c. Possibly brought on initially by the blinding vision on the Damascus road
B. "INFIRMITIES" PAUL SUFFERED:
1. The persecutions he suffered as an apostle of Christ
2. Reasons for this view:
a. In the OT adversaries are sometimes referred to as "thorns in your sides" (Numbers 33:55; Judges 2:3)
b. The term "messenger" in Paul's writings refer to a person
c. The basic topic of 2 Cor 10-13 is Paul's opponents, those who were troubling the Corinthians and Paul himself
d. Paul parallels the "thorn" with a "weakness" (or infirmity) in which he will glory; in the context of 2 Cor 10-13 he connects his weakness with persecution -2Cor 11:30-33; 12:10; 13:3-4
II. WHY WAS THE "THORN" GIVEN?
A. LEST PAUL BE "EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE" (2 Cor 12:7)...
1. Paul had been blessed to receive many revelations...
a. On the road to Damascus - Acts 9:3-6,
b. In Jerusalem - Acts 22:17-21,
c. At Troas - Acts 16:8-10,
d. In Corinth - Acts 18:9-11,
e. In Jerusalem again - Acts 23:11,
f. On his way to Rome - Acts 27:22-25,
g. The vision of Paradise - 2Cor 12:1-6
2. It would have been quite easy...
a. For Paul to be filled with pride over these revelations
b. For the church to exalt him too highly
B. THERE IS A PRACTICAL LESSON RELATED TO HUMILITY...
1. Humility is a necessary trait for God's people - Luke 18:13-14; 1 Peter 5:5-6
2. Sometimes it is useful to have "outside help" to keep us humble!
III. PAUL'S REACTION TO THE "THORN"
A. BEING HUMAN, HE WANTED TO GET RID OF IT! (2 Cor 12:8)...
1. He pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it
2. Just as the Lord Himself prayed in the garden at Gethsemane - Luke 22:39-43
3. Notice the interesting similarities between Paul and the Lord...
a. Both prayed three times
b. Both did not receive the answer for which they prayed
c. But they both received answers that were sufficient...
1) An angel came to minister to Christ
2) The Lord told Paul:
a) "My grace is sufficient for you"
b) "My strength is made perfect in weakness"
B. THIS SHOULD REMIND US OF CERTAIN PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER...
1. We are to pray with persistence - Luke 18:1-8
2. We are to pray in earnest - Matthew 7:7
3. We are to pray specifically (as Paul did) -- Yet God knows what is best for us, so the answer may not be what we wish.
IV. PAUL'S REACTION TO THE LORD'S ANSWER
A. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LORD'S ANSWER (2 Cor 12:9a)...
1. "My grace is sufficient for you"
a. The Lord would give Paul what he "needed"
b. But not necessarily what he "wanted"
2. "My strength is made perfect in weakness"
a. It is in times of weakness and hardship that the Lord's strength can be experienced most completely.
b. For in such times we really come to depend upon the Lord, and not upon our own strength or wisdom.
B. NOW CONSIDER PAUL'S REACTION...
1. "I will boast in my infirmities" – 2 Cor 12:9b
a. Rather than complain about his trying circumstances, he will glory in them!
b. For it is in such infirmities that he has the opportunity to experience the power of Christ in his life as He helps him deal with them.
2. "I take pleasure in infirmities...for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." – 2 Cor 12:10
a. Infirmities can be a time for rejoicing! - Romans 5:3a
b. For that can be a time in which to experience the strength Christ gives, and the development of character that pleases Him - Romans 5:3b-5; James 1:2-4
CONCLUSION
1. It may be impossible to determine exactly the nature of "Paul's Thorn In The Flesh"
a. Some commentators believe that this ambiguity was by design
b. Otherwise, those with other "infirmities" may think the spiritual lessons are not for them
2. But from a perplexing passage, we can glean powerful principles applicable to all...
a. In time of infirmity, pray!
b. But don't be surprised if the answer to your prayers are similar to those given to Paul
1) "My grace is sufficient for you"
2) "My strength is made perfect in weakness"
c. The Lord may choose not to remove the infirmity...
1) Instead, He may choose to give you the strength to endure it
2) If so, then rejoice that power of Christ rests upon you!
As we close, think about the Lord's statement as it relates to the problem of SIN, and the SALVATION He offers ("My grace is sufficient for you")... – Titus 3:4-7
WRAP-UP
The model of the apostle Paul:
1. Admit your weaknesses
2. Be content with your weaknesses
3. Honestly share your weaknesses
4. Glory in your weaknesses
Admit my weaknesses. I need to admit not only that I have weaknesses, but admit specific weaknesses. When I am honest with myself I can learn how God wants to use my weaknesses.
Be content with my weaknesses. By being content with my weaknesses I am telling God that I trust that He knows what is best for me. My weaknesses will increase my dependence on God. They can also cause me to draw closer to other believers as I share my weaknesses with them and help others who share the same weaknesses.
Honestly share my weaknesses. Ministry begins with vulnerability. I need to share my failures, feelings, frustrations and fears so I can be an example of humility to others. By admitting my weaknesses I build credibility with others.
Glory in your weaknesses. I need to see my weaknesses as a "trophy of grace" that shows just how incredible and faithful God has been in working in my life. God can turn my weaknesses intro strengths. The very things that bother, embarrass and humiliate me most can be used by God for His glory.
Are you thinking that God wouldn't use you because you do not have any big weaknesses. Be convinced that God is going to use you to do incredible things because you are completely messed up -- and yet His grace is greater still.
My weakness:
My action:
Scriptures Referenced in Lesson:
2 Cor 12: 7-10 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Gal 4:13-15 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Gal 6:11 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
2 Cor 11:30-3330 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
2 Cor 13:3-43 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
Acts 9:3-63 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Acts 22:17-21 17 "When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. 'Quick!' he said. 'Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.' 19 " 'Lord,' I replied, 'these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr [a] Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' 21 "Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' "
Acts 16:8-108 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 18:9-119 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Acts 23:1111 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
Acts 27:22-2522 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
2Cor 12:1-61 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about someone like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,
Luke 18:13-1413 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
1 Peter 5:5-65 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Luke 22:39-4339 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
Luke 18:1-8 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!' " 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Matt 7:7 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Romans 5:3-5 3 Not only so, but we [a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Titus 3:4-7 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Turning the Page
Focal Verses: Acts 4: 8-10 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed
Turning the Page
Setting the Stage
I. Read Acts 3:1-5
There were 3 special hours for prayer according to the Jews- 9am, noon, and 3pm.
Prayer was viewed as more precious when offered in the Temple Courts.
We see Peter and John blending their new faiths with their old customs.
Beggars sat at the entrance to the temple and people were more likely to be generous.
Read Acts 3:6-10
What did the crippled beggar do once healed? He ran into the temple courts praising God
Read Acts 3:11-16
What do we see Peter doing?
Preaching. He stresses 3 points.
1. The crucifixion
2. The resurrection
3. The power of the risen Lord
He knew the healing was of God, not himself.
Quote from William Barclay: So long as the Christian thinks of what he can do and be there can be nothing but failure, frustration, and fear. But when he thinks of “not I, but Christ in me” there can be nothing but peace.
Read Acts 3: 17-26
What is Peter’s message to the people? You have seen, now repent and return.
Read Acts 4:1-4
Backdrop: the Gate Beautiful led from the Court of the Gentiles into the Court of Women. The Court of the Gentiles was the largest and busiest of the temple courts. Anybody could enter as long as they obtained the temple laws.
Is it any wonder that this miracle would occur in the location with the greatest exposure.
Why were the Saducees “annoyed”
1. these men did not believe in the Resurrection
2. The Saducees were Roman collaborators. The Roman gov’t was tolerant until it came to public disorder and then they were merciless.
They arrest Peter and John because they are creating a scene and they just want to put them away and figure out how to deal with what has happened.
Read Acts 4:5-12
What do we learn about the situation just before Peter speaks? God speaks through him and gives him the words to say.
Where does this event take place? Before the Sanhedrin. This is the Supreme Court of the Jews. This was the same place that Jesus was sentenced to die.
The Sanhedrin had 71 members. The high priest was the leader. It was comprised of the wealthiest, most intellectual, and most powerful men in the land.
What was Peter by trade? Fisherman
When Peter made this speech, he knew he was taking his life in his hands. I think that Peter has turned the page on the 3 denials. He now has purpose and strength of conviction and the power of the resurrection behind him.
How much courage did this man display to walk back into the place where Christ was condemned to die and speak in the manner he did.
Read Acts 4:13-22
What impression is the Sanhedrin left with? That these men, though viewed as ignorant and unlearned, had been in the company of Jesus.
What does the Sanhedrin command Peter and John to do? Quit preaching and telling people about Jesus
How do Peter and John respond to the command of the Sanhedrin? They say that they can’t stop speaking the truth of God. To them it would be like asking them not to breathe. They couldn’t stop. It would be unnantural.
H.G. Wells was quoted as saying, “ The trouble with so many people is that the voice of their neighbor sounds louder in their ears than the voice of God.
The most unanswerable defence of Christianity is a Christian man.
Challenge of the Week.
1. Decide this week which role you find your life currently fitting into- Peter, the crippled beggar, or the members of the Sanhedrin. I’m guessing many of us have played multiple roles at different times of our lives.
2. If you find yourself in the role of Peter, look for opportunities to heal this week. Healing can take many forms
3. If you find yourself in the role of the crippled beggar, find a Peter and work on letting the healing process begin.
4. If you find yourself in the role of the Sanhedrin, engage a Peter in dialogue this week and go a little deeper.
Turning the Page
Setting the Stage
I. Read Acts 3:1-5
There were 3 special hours for prayer according to the Jews- 9am, noon, and 3pm.
Prayer was viewed as more precious when offered in the Temple Courts.
We see Peter and John blending their new faiths with their old customs.
Beggars sat at the entrance to the temple and people were more likely to be generous.
Read Acts 3:6-10
What did the crippled beggar do once healed? He ran into the temple courts praising God
Read Acts 3:11-16
What do we see Peter doing?
Preaching. He stresses 3 points.
1. The crucifixion
2. The resurrection
3. The power of the risen Lord
He knew the healing was of God, not himself.
Quote from William Barclay: So long as the Christian thinks of what he can do and be there can be nothing but failure, frustration, and fear. But when he thinks of “not I, but Christ in me” there can be nothing but peace.
Read Acts 3: 17-26
What is Peter’s message to the people? You have seen, now repent and return.
Read Acts 4:1-4
Backdrop: the Gate Beautiful led from the Court of the Gentiles into the Court of Women. The Court of the Gentiles was the largest and busiest of the temple courts. Anybody could enter as long as they obtained the temple laws.
Is it any wonder that this miracle would occur in the location with the greatest exposure.
Why were the Saducees “annoyed”
1. these men did not believe in the Resurrection
2. The Saducees were Roman collaborators. The Roman gov’t was tolerant until it came to public disorder and then they were merciless.
They arrest Peter and John because they are creating a scene and they just want to put them away and figure out how to deal with what has happened.
Read Acts 4:5-12
What do we learn about the situation just before Peter speaks? God speaks through him and gives him the words to say.
Where does this event take place? Before the Sanhedrin. This is the Supreme Court of the Jews. This was the same place that Jesus was sentenced to die.
The Sanhedrin had 71 members. The high priest was the leader. It was comprised of the wealthiest, most intellectual, and most powerful men in the land.
What was Peter by trade? Fisherman
When Peter made this speech, he knew he was taking his life in his hands. I think that Peter has turned the page on the 3 denials. He now has purpose and strength of conviction and the power of the resurrection behind him.
How much courage did this man display to walk back into the place where Christ was condemned to die and speak in the manner he did.
Read Acts 4:13-22
What impression is the Sanhedrin left with? That these men, though viewed as ignorant and unlearned, had been in the company of Jesus.
What does the Sanhedrin command Peter and John to do? Quit preaching and telling people about Jesus
How do Peter and John respond to the command of the Sanhedrin? They say that they can’t stop speaking the truth of God. To them it would be like asking them not to breathe. They couldn’t stop. It would be unnantural.
H.G. Wells was quoted as saying, “ The trouble with so many people is that the voice of their neighbor sounds louder in their ears than the voice of God.
The most unanswerable defence of Christianity is a Christian man.
Challenge of the Week.
1. Decide this week which role you find your life currently fitting into- Peter, the crippled beggar, or the members of the Sanhedrin. I’m guessing many of us have played multiple roles at different times of our lives.
2. If you find yourself in the role of Peter, look for opportunities to heal this week. Healing can take many forms
3. If you find yourself in the role of the crippled beggar, find a Peter and work on letting the healing process begin.
4. If you find yourself in the role of the Sanhedrin, engage a Peter in dialogue this week and go a little deeper.
Who Are You?
WHO ARE YOU?
To see who you are, see how Paul identified himself:
Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God
1 Corinthians 1:1- Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
2 Corinthians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
Galatians 1;1- Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father
Ephesians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
Philippians 1:1- Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus
Colossians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
1& 2Thessalonians- Paul (and that’s all)
1 Timothy 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior
2 Timothy 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus
Titus 1:1- Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness
Philemon 1:1- Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus
WHO WAS PAUL?
Why did he change his personal description from book to book?
He was a Roman to Romans
By whose authority did he say he was what he was?
WHO ARE YOU?
What is God’s will for us to be?
What is God’s calling for us to be?
What is God’s command for us to be?
WILL-
1 Thes 4:3- It is God's will that you should be sanctified
1 Peter 3:17- It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil
CALLED-
Romans 1:6- you…are called to belong to Christ
1 Cor 1:2- you are …called to be holy.
1 Cor 1:9- called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 3:1- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
How do you identify yourself scripturally, rather than/addition to work, life family?
COMMAND
Matt 28:20- For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. "
1 Cor 1:26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let those who boast boast in the Lord."
Are you worthy to be who God says you are?
CONCLUSION
Who was Paul before he was Paul? As a killer of Christians, he could never say he was worthy to call himself what he called himself in those letters. However, he said those things because it was God's will for him to be. Even though we may not feel like we are all those things, or are worthy to be all those things, it doesn't matter- we are because He says we are.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT
CHALLENGE: Take one or more of these verses this week and see yourself as God has called you to see yourself.
To see who you are, see how Paul identified himself:
Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God
1 Corinthians 1:1- Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
2 Corinthians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
Galatians 1;1- Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father
Ephesians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
Philippians 1:1- Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus
Colossians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
1& 2Thessalonians- Paul (and that’s all)
1 Timothy 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior
2 Timothy 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus
Titus 1:1- Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness
Philemon 1:1- Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus
WHO WAS PAUL?
Why did he change his personal description from book to book?
He was a Roman to Romans
By whose authority did he say he was what he was?
WHO ARE YOU?
What is God’s will for us to be?
What is God’s calling for us to be?
What is God’s command for us to be?
WILL-
1 Thes 4:3- It is God's will that you should be sanctified
1 Peter 3:17- It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil
CALLED-
Romans 1:6- you…are called to belong to Christ
1 Cor 1:2- you are …called to be holy.
1 Cor 1:9- called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 3:1- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
How do you identify yourself scripturally, rather than/addition to work, life family?
COMMAND
Matt 28:20- For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. "
1 Cor 1:26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let those who boast boast in the Lord."
Are you worthy to be who God says you are?
CONCLUSION
Who was Paul before he was Paul? As a killer of Christians, he could never say he was worthy to call himself what he called himself in those letters. However, he said those things because it was God's will for him to be. Even though we may not feel like we are all those things, or are worthy to be all those things, it doesn't matter- we are because He says we are.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT
CHALLENGE: Take one or more of these verses this week and see yourself as God has called you to see yourself.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Truth is Stranger Than Fiction
Focus Verse:
What do we learn from these verses?
What does this tell us? Zacchaeus repaid much more than was required by law. The amount he repaid was more than if he had taken the money through violent means
As I see it, this verse tells us how we are to operate during these times of economic and political uncertainty.
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