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.
Showing posts with label michael. Show all posts
Showing posts with label michael. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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.
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.
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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