A Christmas Carol

Background Passage Luke 1:5-2:20
Focal Passage Luke 1:46-55

In today's lesson, we are taking a break from studying Paul's letter to the Christians of Thessalonica and focusing on the birth of our Lord. The background passage in Luke tells the story of Jesus' birth. Most of us know this story well. We have heard it for years and seen it portrayed in film, literature, and live nativity scenes. First, the announcement of the birth of Jesus is recorded. Then, the circumstances surrounding Christ's birth are provided. Then, the response to Jesus' birth is stated. I want to focus specifically on Mary's response to the announcement of her upcoming unexpected pregnancy recorded in Luke 1:46-55. These verses are actually a song and are referred to as the Magnificat of Mary. I like to think of them (listed below) as the first and best Christmas carol.

My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers.

Mary's song occurs as she visits her relative, Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth has just called Mary blessed because of the belief that Mary expressed in God's plan. At that point Mary responds with the verses above.

First, she begins by praising God and rejoicing in the knowledge of her Savior. Certainly, as we celebrate Christmas, we should begin by recognizing what God has always known...we are born imperfect and our imperfections separate us from God. We are in need of a Savior and God provided one through the birth of His son, Jesus Christ! Mary rejoiced because of all that her faith in her Savior provided. She stated that He had been mindful of her humble state and that all generations will called her blessed. Likewise, He is mindful of our humble state when we accept Jesus as our Lord. We become His children at that moment and this blessing lasts forever!

Next she recognizes God's power, calling Him the Mighty one and declaring His holiness (read Isaiah 6:1-5 for Isaiah's response to being confronted with God's holiness). He is the creator. He is sovereign over His creation. He is perfect. There is no evil in Him. He is holy!

Mary understands that God has done great things for her. Likewise, He has done great things for us as well.

• He has been merciful to her.


• Throughout history and her life, He has done mighty deeds. She recognizes this fact and we need to recognize that God is still at work in our world today. God is not at a distance simply watching events unfold. He is active and acting in powerful ways on our behalf doing what is best for us.


• His nature is to treat people with justice based not on worldly standards (things that make us prideful, position of worldly authority, or financial prosperity) but solely on the righteousness obtained at the moment of our salvation. This is how He treated Mary and this is how He treats us as well


• Finally, God keeps His promises. The fact that He kept His promises to Abraham assures us that He will keep all of His promises to us as well..

As the next few days of preparation for Christmas day unfold, slow down and take a moment (or several moments) to rejoice in the Lord, your savior! Write your song of praise for all that God has done for you!

A Witness That Works!

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

We are continuing our study of 1 Thessalonians today. Last week, we learned about the people of Thessalonica and the men that God sent to teach them the gospel. Today, we will look at the method of Paul's witness. Certainly, he was one off the most successful witnesses of all time. In today's scripture, we will get some insight about why he was so successful.

In 1 Thess 2:1, Paul states that his witness to the Thessalonians was successful. Why was this the case?

First and foremost, the gospel is perfect! (1 Thess 2:3). Paul writes that the message did not come from "error, impunity or by way of deceit." When we represent Christ in the world, we can have full confidence that our message is true!

Second, Paul's focus was on pleasing God rather than men (1 Thess 2:4-6). When interacting with the Thessalonians, Paul did not use flattery to win friendship, did not seek money for his support or preaching, and did not seek honor/ reputation for himself. Instead, he was focused on following God's will and pleasing Him alone.

Third, Paul's witness was personal (1 Thess 2: 7-12). Verse 8 says that not only did Paul tell the people about Jesus but that he imparted his own life to them. He established a relationship and was willing to give of himself. If our witness is to be successful, we have to be willing to establish new relationships with unsaved people. Our focus must be on doing what is necessary to win them for the Lord. In verse 7, Paul writes that he gently nurtured them as a mother cares for her own children. In verse 11, he reminds them that he "exhorted, comforted, and urged" them on as a father does for his children. Just as a good parent is selfless and centered on doing what is best/necessary for their child, so was Paul toward the lost.

We can/ must act just as Paul did. If we follow his example, our witness will very likely bear fruit. The gospel is powerful! When it is coupled with a caring, compassionate believer that puts the interest of the hearer first, it almost certainly will be well received! Make a commitment today to reach out to a lost person. Establish a relationship with them. Nurture them. Exhort them. Comfort them. Urge them. At the moment of their conversion, you will know that it was worth the effort!

Watch the two videos below to gain insight and useful tips on how to prepare to be a good witness for the Lord.

Rule with righteousness!

2 Samuel 23: 3-5

Today, we are finishing our study of 1st and 2nd Samuel by considering some of the final recorded words of King David. Next week, it's on to 1 Thessalonians!

As we apply these verses to our life, the first question to consider is who do we rule (or have influence) over.

We need to understand that our actions have an impact on all those with whom we have contact...family, coworkers, and casual acquaintances. Therefore, at some point in time, we rule over all those around us.

Second, we need to consider what determines how you treat those with whom you interact? Many times, the answer is self-centeredness. What's in it for us? How our response will advance our financial, social, or professional goals is quickly evaluated and our actions are tempered accordingly. Will we gain money, notoriety, or reputation? Sometimes, the length of our interaction, our perception of the other person's importance, or "how difficult" the person is to get along with changes our behavior toward them. As Christians, none of these factors should or do really matter. What does matter is how our action toward the other person will affect their relationship with the Lord.

In 2 Samuel 23:3, God tells David the type of rule that He expects. He expects us to demostrate righteousness and fear (reverence) of the Lord. There are several steps necessary to achieve this type of behavior/ life.

1. We must be righteous! In order to demonstrate righteousness, we must be righteous. The only way to achieve this to to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord (Romans 3: 20-24).
2. We must live a changed life. (Ephesians 5: 8-9) Notice that this is only possible after salvation.
3. We must find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5: 10). Clearly, obedience to the Lord's commands is at the top of the list (1 Samuel 15: 22). One of the clearest commands is found in Matthew 28: 19-20 where we are instructed to go and make disciples of all nations.
4. We must make the most of every (not just some) opportunity because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-17) and time is short (Romans 14:11-12).
5. We must share our righteousness by telling others how to achieve it. Jesus is counting on you to represent Him in the world! Our love for Him and appreciation of what He has done for us should lead us to share our faith (Psalms 40:10; 2 Corinthians 5: 14, 20).

Specific instructions about how to interact with family, coworkers, and casual acquaintances can be found in Ephesians 6: 1-4, 5-9, and 10-12 respectively. In these verses, we see that our interactions should point others to the Lord (v.4), be carried out as if we were dealing directly with the Lord (7-8), and be carried out with the realization that Satan will do all that he can to oppose us.

If we rule with righteousness and fear of the Lord, our behavior will be like the first light of a clear blue day or the bightness after rain (refreshing, beautiful, and full of promise) as seen in 2 Sam 23:4.

2 Samuel 23:5 reminds us of what awaits us... the fruition of our salvation and the fulfillment of our every desire. Jesus has assured us that He is preparing a place for us and will return at the appointed time. (John 14:1-3).

As you deal with the hustle and bustle of the week, especially during the holiday season, be on the lookout for every opportunity to share your righteousness with others. Don't keep it bottled up! Your witness may be the last or only chance the other person may have to accept Jesus as their savior and to make Him Lord in their life. What do you have to lose?

When Tangled In Sin

Background Passage: 2 Samuel 11 and 12

These chapters follow perhaps the greatest period of time in David’s kingship. Under his leadership, Israel is united after a period of civil war. The government is established in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem during intense worship. And the nations of Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Aram, Edom, Amalek, and Ammon are defeated. God blesses David and David demonstrates compassion and provides equal justice to the nation of Israel (Psalm 78:72 states that David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them). As stated in 1Samuel 13:14, God has established a king that is “a man after His own heart.”

However, things are about to change…

David’s great sin (2 Samuel 11: 1-4a)
A. Notice David was not where he should have been. His proper place was with his army in battle. However, he stayed behind. Perhaps he was growing weary of the job God had given him. Maybe things had come too easy. In any event, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time (v.1-2).
B. He sees Bathsheba (his neighbor’s wife) bathing and desire is kindled. Instead of putting an end to it right there, he begins to mull over a possible relationship or interaction with her. Scripture says that he inquired about her (v.3).
C. He not only inquires but soon his inquiries become a pursuit of her (v.4)
D. Finally, his sin is consummated. He commits adultery (V. 4). Notice that she was a willing participant. However, as we will learn, this fact is no excuse for David’s act.

Sometimes, our sin begins because we are physically not where God desires us to be. We let our guard down and improper thoughts enter our mind. We begin to mull things over and our improper desire grows. Our thoughts turn to action and our sin is consummated.

Sin often leads to more sin (2 Samuel 11: 5-17)
A. Bathsheba gets pregnant as a result of their adultery.
B. David’s response is to try to hide his initial sin. Psalm 139:11 says “surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me.” David is looking to bury his sin so that no one will know.
C. Initially, he brings Uriah back from the fighting (Uriah has been at war for his king!) and tries to entice him to go home to Bathsheba. Out of duty, Uriah won’t sleep with his wife while his compatriots are still fighting. David even tries to get him drunk but it still doesn’t work.
D. When trickery fails, David hatches a plot to have Uriah killed. Once carried out, he marries Bathsheba.
E. David thinks he’s home free. He’s fooled the people. He’s hidden his sin and no one will know.

We become good at hiding as we reach adulthood. We hide our emotions. We reflexively tell inquirers that things are “great” when asked how we are doing. And we become very good at hiding our sin from other people. Few know what our family life is really like. We are not caught in the little “white lies” that we tell. We may even be able to hide “major sins” that would bring public embarrassment or scandal. And certainly, no one knows what our commitment to our Lord is really like when no one is watching.

However, God always knows.…(2 Samuel 11:27)
Verse 27 states simply and plainly, “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” Psalm 139: 12 says “even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Unconfessed sin always has consequences (Psalm 32: 1-4, 38: 1-12)
David’s unconfessed sin has serious effects on David that are seen as we read the above Psalms.
A. He becomes physically ill (loses weight and becomes weak/exhausted. His heart pounds , he gets dizzy, and feels faint)
B. Emotionally, he is overwhelmed and his heart is in anguish.
C. His friends begin avoiding him.
D. His enemies seek to take advantage of him in his weakened state.

We must acknowledge our sin sincerely and genuinely (2 Samuel 12: 13, Psalm 51: 1-4, 10-12, 16-17 Psalm 40:1, Psalm 40: 6-8, Psalm 139:23-24))
A. Our sin is against God, not another person.
B. We must genuinely desire forgiveness.
C. We must truly desire to place the Lord back in the leadership role in our life, where ever that may lead.
D. We must be patient as we wait for forgiveness.

God will forgive us…(2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 32:5, Psalm 40: 1-3, Psalm 103: 8-13) but our sin will have consequences (2 Samuel 12: 10, 11, 14).
A. David’s heart is cleansed and restored.
B. David’s guilt is lifted.
C. David’s family will be in turmoil as a result of his sin
D. David’s son (born of Bathsheba) will die.

We must treat sin seriously and genuinely. The guilt that we carry with us separates us from God. He already knows that it is there so we only do ourselves harm when we keep it in. Make a point today to confess your sin and put the Lord back in control of your life, no matter what other people might think!

Check out the Casting Crowns video below!

When Facing Difficult Circumstances...Find Strength in the Lord!

The blog notes return this week (I couldn't find time to get last week's notes up) as we continue our study of 1 Samuel. Today, we will be focusing on chapter 28 and 30, comparing how Saul and David face troublesome circumstances. We will see what approach God honors and how we should approach circumstances that cause fear and uncertainty in our life.

At this point, Saul has intermittently been pursuing David with the intent to kill him. David has taken refuge among the Philistines of all people. In fact, one of the Philistines (Achish) gave David property (Ziklag). Imagine how good David must have felt to have a place that he could call home after being on the run for so long. By this point, David has also acquired 2 more wives along the way (in addition to his first wife Michal who was Saul's daughter) and he has about 600 men that fight with him. In addition, since Saul had murdered 85 priests including Ahimelech, Abiathar (Ahimelech's son) was with David.

Chapter 28: 1-5. The Philistine army gathers to fight Israel. Samuel is dead. Saul sees the mighty Philistine army and it is superior in number and in advanced weaponry to his own. Verse 5 says that Saul was afraid to the point that terror filled his heart. Some of us unfortunately have been there. Circumstances arise and the odds against us appear overwhelming. The future looks uncertain and bleak. In fact, it looks like there is no escape. We are uncertain what we should do. We are afraid and our fear gives way to terror.

Chapter 28: 6. Saul does what many do when in trouble; he asks God for help. However, God remains silent. Why does this happen? First, notice that Saul really has no relationship with the Lord before his request. There is no mention of remorse or repentance for past sins. In fact part of his petitioning includes asking the false priest (Urim) that he established after murdering God's priests! Finally, in 1 Chronicles 10:14, we are told that Saul doesn't ask God for help at all. In other words, his request for help was so shallow that it really wasn't a request at all. We need a solid relationship with Jesus before we find our backs against the wall. God promises us that if we need wisdom He will give it to us if we ask. (James 1: 5-6)

Chapter 28:7. Receivng no answer from God, Saul turns to a witch even though he knows this is abhorrent (v.3 says that he ordered the mediums and spiritists expelled from the land). However, he does what many do when they have no relationship with which to anchor their life. He looks for help in the wrong place. What about us? If we don't get an immediate answer from God, do we wait on Him. Do we ask again? Do we look in other places for answers (horoscopes, palm readers, advice from seemingly successful but non Christian people, Oprah, self help books, etc.)?

Chapter 28: 8-19 The witch calls up the spirit of Samuel who tells Saul not what he wants to hear (what he should do about the Philistines) but what he has done wrong before God and what his judgement will be (he and his sons will be killed by the Philistines).

Chapter 28: 20-25 Hearing this news, Saul falls to the ground and is filled with fear. Those around him provide encouragement and food. However, they provide no spiritual advice. Eventually Saul leaves during the night apparently resigned to his fate. We need to ask for help from those that will give us Godly advice. Who knows what would have happened had Saul truly repented of his sin when confronted with it by Samuel. Had a true priest of the Lord been with him at that moment, who knows how Saul might have been encouraged to seek God earnestly! Surrounding ourselves with Christian people when we need help/advice certainly gives us a much better chance of deciding on a course that is pleasing to God. We simply cannot expect advice that will grow our relationship with the Lord from non Christian sources.

Chapter 30: 1-5. David and his men are sent home from the impending battle between Israel and the Philistines since the Philistines did not trust them to fight on their side. They arrive home in Ziklag to discover that it has been pillaged and burned. All of their possessions and their family memebers have been taken or destroyed. They are devastated. These battle tested men weep aloud until they have no strength left with which to weep. How despondent they must have been! We also will have "Ziklags" in life. We go to work like any other day and receive a phone call that brings bad news. We go to a routine doctor's visit and learn of a lump or abnormal test. The stock market crashes or real estate values plummet putting our financial future at risk. We see our children make bad choices or our spouse one day leaves without warning and suddenly our place of security and comfort (our Ziklag) is destroyed.

Chapter 30:6. It gets worse. David's men, his loyal followers, blame him. In fact, they blame him so strongly that they actually consider stoning him. After all, he is their leader and it was his choice to leave compound unguarded. At this point David does what we all should do in such a circumstance. He turns to the Lord his God and finds strength in Him. What a resource! When troubled, think of all of the promises that God has made to you, His child. Meditate on them. Claim them. Part of this process must include evaluating the quality of our commitment to Him. We must confess the sin that permeates our life. If we do these two things, God will strengthen us just as He did David.
Watch the Selah song below about how God can raise us up to do great things.


Chapter 30:7-8. After reaffirming his relationship with God (something Saul never did), David calls the priest and asks God what he should do. Notice that the request came in the exact manner that God had put forward in the law (David asks for the ephod or linen cloth with special stones in it because God had said that he should do so in order to petition Him). Even in his time of distress, David is fully obedient to God. Due to David's belief, God answers. David is told to pursue the captors.

Chapter 28:9-17. David and his men set out. However, 200 of them are so exhausted that they can't go on. They are left behind. The other 400 charge ahead but discover an Egyptian slave that has been cast aside by the raiding party. David's band nurses him back to health and the Egyptian is instrumental in delivering the captors into David's hands. The captors are routed. As we respond to what God tells us, we need to use all of the resources that He provides. Who would have ever guessed that a dying Egyptian slave would have been so important. Certainly not the man that cast him aside on the road to die. And probably not even David when the man was first discovered. However, he was an invaluable resource none-the-less.

Chapter 28: 18-25. David recovers everything... his family, his possessions, and also all of the possessions from all of the other cities that the Amalekites had raided. Some of the 400 with him want to keep it all but David insists that everything be returned to the rightful owner. The 200 men that stayed behind will share equally. Not only that but he also sends gifts to the places that he had previously roamed. When the crisis is past and we have been restored, we must resist the temptation to grow "fat and happy". This is a very difficult temptation to overcome. It is in our nature to store up treasure here on earth and to rely on our own strength as we plan for the future. We should look for ways that we can share our good fortune with others and therby encourage their relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Success is our opportunity to tell others what God has done for us!

Class social - Save the Date

We are planning a class social on the evening of November 8th (a Saturday). Please save the date. I will be posting more details as they are finalized.

Be A Good Friend!

Background passages 1 Samuel 17-23
Key verses: 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-2, 4-7; 20:41-42; 23:16-18

This week’s lesson focuses on the friendship that Jonathan (King Saul’s son and therefore, prince of Israel) and David shared. In studying their relationship, we can see some of the qualities needed to be a good friend. Check out the entertaining video below set to the Randy Newman song “You’ve got a friend in me.” (Warning: this video scores extremely high on the cuteness scale and will definitely make you want to visit the humane society!).


In 1 Samuel 17, David confronts and slays the Philistine warrior Goliath. Goliath was over 9 feet tall, wore brass armour that weighed 125 pounds and wielded a spear with a shaft weighing 17 lbs and a spear head weighing 15 lbs! He was one big man. Nevertheless, as Israel’s army looked on, David courageously confronted and defeated the giant in the name of the Lord Almighty (17: 45). After meeting with King Saul following his victory, he is met by Jonathan.

1 Samuel 18:1-4
v. 1 Jonathan became one in spirit with David. The best friendships usually have a common interest. In this instance, both men loved the Lord. Jonathan had previously attacked the Philistines against overwhelming odds, having faith that God would give him victory (14:6). Here, Jonathan is deciding that David’s interest will be his interest. David’s desire will be his desire. They will work together toward a single goal and David will set the agenda (as is further evidenced by the gifts that he gives David).

Jonathan loved David as himself. Again, Jonathan will put David first throughout their friendship together. We are to do this habitually as Christians (Mt 22:39; Lk 10: 25-28; Romans 13: 9-10; Gal 5:14; James 2: 8-9) and it is a vital part of having a deep friendship.

v. 3 Jonathan and David made a covenant before the Lord. They valued their relationship and were serious enough about their commitment to each other that they implored God as a witness! We should take our friendships seriously. Are you a fair weather friend? Do other things come before your friends? Do you try to meet their needs only when it is convenient?

v.4 Jonathan gave David his robe (a royal robe) and his military equipment. Remember that at this point, Jonathan is the prince (even though David has been anointed by Samuel). This act is important because Jonathan is symbolically giving David a place of strength and power greater than his own. Jealousy and envy have no place in a good friendship. We should seek to honor our friends and promote their welfare even if it is at our own expense!

1 Samuel 19:1-2 Jonathan learns of his father’s order to kill David and warns David of the plot. He doesn’t just stop there either. He places himself in harms way for his friend.
A good friend will warn of danger. Our first commitment to our friends should be to share the gospel with them. We should warn them of danger if we know of it (wrong decisions that they are on the brink of making, information about children or family that they might find painful but still need to know, etc.). Part of this means holding a friend accountable for improper actions/ behavior. Proverbs 27: 6 says that wounds from a friend can be trusted. Sometimes, the truth hurts but a friend will provide it nonetheless.

1 Samuel 19:1-4
Jonathan defends David against the accusations that the king has made. A friend will defend. When we hear about gossip regarding others, do we join in or stand up for them? Do we stand up even when it could mean danger for us? Jonathan defends David not only in this encounter but also later while he and Saul are eating. During the second meeting, Saul actually tries to kill Jonathan because of Jonathan’s defense of David. Proverbs 16:28 says that a gossip separates close friends. Beware of it!

1 Samuel 20: 41 Here, Jonathan has given David the news that Saul is again angry and seeking to kill David. It is best for David to flee. They weep together. A good friend will feel the pain of the other, weep together, and provide comfort. Jonathan reminds David of their covenant friendship and this certainly must have been comforting to David. How lonely he must have felt as he hid among the rocks waiting for word from Jonathan. How fearful he must have been knowing that the king wanted him dead. Jonathan’s commitment must have helped. We need to express genuine emotion and provide comfort to our friends.

1 Samuel 23: 16-17 A friend provides encouragement. David is running for his life and is hiding in the desert. Jonathan goes to David and “helps him find strength in God.” Certainly, if most of us were in David’s place, our faith would be tried. Perhaps he was beginning to have doubts about God’s providence and protection. Here Jonathan encourages his faith and confidence that God’s plan for David to be king will be fulfilled. Jonathan could not immediately fix David’s present circumstance but he could bolster his friend’s soul. I am reminded of the physician’s prayer in my office (which Robin cross-stitched for me when I finished residency). It says that I will not be able to cure every medical problem that I encounter. However, I should always be able to improve the condition of the patient that I am treating. Sometimes, that improvement is emotional or spiritual. This is the role that Jonathan played here.

We need good Christian friendships in our life. In order to foster them, we should examine our commitment to our friends and not keep a "running tally" of their acts of service toward us. We need to be willing to put their interests above our own when we know that doing so is God’s will (just as Jonathan did). We need to demonstrate a willingness to protect, defend, comfort, and encourage our friends.

Pray for your friends this week and look for tangible ways that you can demonstrate your commitment to them today!

When Your Dreams Are Shattered...God Cares For You! (Class notes from 10/12/08)

Background Passage: 1 Samuel 15: 34 through 16: 7
A Story of Hope
Losing three members of her family (husband, father, uncle) in a two week period of time, Donna Lucado shares how her faith is sustaining her through the dark and confusing days of grief. Watch the video below.

All of us have dreams. Life is great when they are realized. However, frequently, life becomes hard with twists that we do not expect. Our hopes and our dreams for the present and the future are shattered; and we are thrown into despair.

Today, we are continuing our study of 1 Samuel. Last week, we read about Samuel's anointing of Saul as king. Imagine Samuel's excitement as he met and then anointed God's man as king. Imagine the dreams and hopes that Samuel must have had for his nation as Saul began his reign. Then imagine the disappointment that must have come when Samuel realized that Saul would not fully obey God. Instead, he would become self centered and would lead Israel away from God...back down a road that Samuel had worked years to convince the Israelites not to travel.

I Samuel 15:34-35
In 15:34, Samuel and Saul part company. In 15:35, we learn that Samuel never went to see Saul again but that nonetheless, Samuel went to his home and mourned for Saul.
We have all been there. Life takes an unexpected or undesired turn and it hits home. Our marriage ends. Our finances become strained or collapse altogether. An illness is discovered. Death occurs. A hidden sin is revealed. Life wasn't supposed to be like this and it feels like we have been punched in the stomach. Time seems to stand still and accelerate at the same time. We are in pain and we feel alone. Reflexively, we withdraw; and our grief feels as if it will overwhelm us. We become paralyzed.

1 Samuel 16:1
God finds Samuel in his mourning and asks , "How long will you mourn since I have rejected him (Saul) as king over Israel?" Notice that God gave Samuel time to grieve initially. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Mourning is not wrong. God expects us to have emotions including sadness. He created us that way! Matthew 5:4 tells us that those who mourn will be comforted. Isaiah 43: 1-2, 4-5a assures us that God will not allow our circumstances to overwhelm us!
However, just as He reminds Saul that Saul needs to have God's perspective, He expects us to seek His will and to try to look at circumstances from His viewpoint.
In Matthew 11:28 (referenced last week as well) Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.
God gives Saul a job. Likewise, even when we have been buffeted by life, God does not cast us aside. He has a job for you and a job for me. When we are at our lowest moment, we need to seek His will.

I Samuel 16:2-3
Excuses will come. Notice that Samuel initially makes excuses about why he cannot do what God asks. He is fearful of what will happen. What God asks seems to be too much. Likewise, when the Lord initially finds us in our grief and gives us a new job, excuses will flood our mind. "I can't because" will fill our thoughts.
God will support us! In verse 3, God responds to Samuel's excuses. He doesn't chastise Him. He doesn't punish an already grieving man. God assures Samuel that He will show Samuel what to do. God will lead him. He will not abandon Samuel. 1Peter 5: 6-7 tells us to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand that He may lift us up in due time (which of course is just the right time!). We are to cast all our anxiety on Him becasue He cares for us!

1 Samuel 16: 4
We must go. At some point, Samuel got up, filled his horn with oil, and left his home as God instructed. The Bible does not say what his state of mind was at that point. I believe that he was still hurting. However, he was obedient nonetheless. I wonder how many times Samuel thought about pulling the cover over his head on the day of his departure. I wonder how many times Samuel thought of turning around and going back home during the first mile of his journey. I wonder how many times Samuel was ready to quit as he journeyed to anoint yet another man king. When we take the first step forward from our grief, it will be hard. It will initially hurt (remember the Rocky tape showing how hard it was for him the first day of his training. It hurt and he was alone as he ran through the streets). No one can do it for us. We may feel alone. However, at some point we must take the inital step forward.

1 Samuel 16:7
Keep God's perspective. As Samuel looks at Jesse's sons, He begins to see the world around him again. He sees kingly appearing young men and is ready to anoint one king. You can almost feel the hope and excitement returning in Samuel. God reminds Samuel to trust Him because He knows "the real score". Eventually, David is revealed as God's chosen man and as we will learn, He becomes Israel's greatest king. As we emerge from our grief, we often are able to look back and see exactly how God has supported us and cared for us during our hardest times. We become energized and are ready to charge ahead. We need to wait for God during these times and trust His judgement. If we do, He will certainly bring good things our way.

As you pray this week, thank God for understanding your pain, loss, and grief. Thank Him for caring for you and for the assurance that He will raise you up in the due time. Thank Him for being willing to give you a new task and for lovingly moving you forward even when it seems that you don't have the strength for it.

In Love, Mark

Don't forget the music videos!

Don't forget the music videos in the sidebar to the right. These change each week and I have found them to be uplifting. I posted the video that Dan referenced in his sermon this week (Does anybody hear her? by Casting Crowns). It is the fourth video down in the list and is worth watching.

All is Well When We End Well (class notes from 10/5/08)

Background passage: 1 Samuel chapters 9 -- 15

We are continuing our study of first Samuel. Last week, we saw how the Israelites felt they needed a king like other nations around them, thereby rejecting God's leadership. This week, we are introduced to the first king (Saul) and, through his actions, we get some insight into what God values and desires from us.

1 Samuel 9: 1 -- 2, 21; 10: 1, 8 -- 9

In these verses, Saul is introduced.

1. We learn that he is from the least important clan and the smallest tribe of Israel (Benjamin).

2. He also is unique in that he is "a head taller" than everyone else around him.

3. He is anointed king by Samuel (10:1)

4. He is given a specific and seemingly simple instruction (10:8). He is supposed to go to Gilgal and wait for Samuel to arrive in 7 days. At that point, Samuel will tell him what to do next.

5. Significantly, in verse 10: 9, Saul is changed by God so that he has the qualities necessary to be king.

1 Corinthians 5:17 says that when we become a Christian, we are a new creation. 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11 says that the Holy Spirit decides what gift we should be given in order to serve effectively in the body of Christ. 2 Timothy 2:16 -- 17 says that scripture perfects us so that we are thoroughly equipped for every good work. God does not give us a job to do without giving us the tools necessary to succeed!

1 Samuel 13: 3 -- 7, 8 -- 9, 10 -- 12, 13 -- 14

At the time Saul was annointed king, the Philistine nation was coexisting with Israel. Israel had regained territory and was not actively at war with the Philistines. However, Jonathan (Saul's son) attacked a Philistine outpost, angering the Philistines and causing them to marshal troops against Israel. Saul, who had gone to Gilgal as Samuel instructed, had also commandeered an army but it was small (13:15 says that Saul counted 600 men with him). The Philistine army had 3000 chariots (the largest recorded chariot force in the Old Testament), 6000 chariot soldiers and other soldiers that were as numerous as the "sand on the seashore". Saul certainly must have been worried as he saw this large army assemble against him. As Saul remained at Gilgal waiting for Samuel, his men became increasingly frightened. They began hiding in caves, wells, pits, among the rocks, and scattering throughout the countryside. They began quaking with fear.

Samuel arrived later than Saul expected so Saul decided that he would do Samuel's job and made a burnt offering and Fellowship offerings. (Verse 9)
When Samuel arrived and confronted Saul, Saul made excuses. He blamed the situation that he was in on Samuel for being later than expected in his arrival. (Verse 11, 12). As a result of his disobedience, Saul loses his kingship.

When Saul was initially anointed king, he was given a seemingly simple instruction by God. He was to go to Gilgal and wait one week for Samuel to arrive. Samuel would offer burnt offerings and Fellowship offerings at that time and then tell Saul what to do next (after asking God for instructions). Certainly, Saul had no idea that within one week, he would be facing one of the largest armies recorded in the Old Testament. Because of the circumstance, he compromised his principles and became disobedient to God's command (taking it upon himself to make the offerings instead of waiting for Samuel). He rationalized his behavior and certainly, most of us can understand his reaction. We also receive instructions from God that sometimes seem simple (because they are simple). However, given the right circumstances (usually ones that we do not foresee), we are tempted to compromise, "bend the rules", and thereby become disobedient. We start well and mean well but we compromise in order to get out of a tough situation. As a result, just like Saul, we miss blessings that God intends for us to have. We must finish what God instructs us to start. Partial obedience is really not obedience at all.

1 Samuel 15: 1 -- 3, 7 -- 9, 13 -- 16, 20 -- 21

Saul is instructed by God to destroy the entire Amalekite nation (this is God's judgment on the Amalekite nation). Saul is to kill every person and destroy all of their livestock. However, Saul spares the Amalekite king (taking him captive) and brings back the best of the livestock. When Samuel learns of Saul's partial obedience, he confronts Saul (13 -- 14). Saul's response is to blame his soldiers and states that it was his intention to use the sheep and goats as offerings to God (verse 15, 20). He insists that he completed the mission the Lord assigned him (verse 20).

We need to understand that when God gives us instruction, He does not expect us to keep only the portions of the instruction that please us. He does not expect us to keep only the portions of his commands for which we can fully understand his reasoning. He expects is to keep his entire instruction/command without deviation. Blaming other people or rationalizing our actions is no excuse for our disobedience. Remember, He clearly is aware what our future situation will be when He gives us the instruction. We need to trust Him (that's called faith).

1 Samuel 15: 22 -- 23

Which is more important, offerings or obedience. Obedience is the right answer.

God expects us to be fully obedient. (If we are, the offerings will obviously follow)

1. Ecclesiastes 12:13 reports that the whole duty of man is to fear (have reverence for) God and keep his commands.

2. In John 14:15, Jesus says "if you love me, you will obey what I command."

3. In John 13: 34, Jesus gives us a new command -- "love one another."

4. 2 John: 6 says that walking in obedience to the Lord's commands is love.
5. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus instructs us to take His yoke upon ourselves (let Him steer us) and to learn from Him.

6. Remember, God's commands are not meant to deprive us of anything. They are given as a blessing to us. Following them leads to joy (John 15: 11), increasing value (Exodus 19: 5 -- 6), abundance and protection (Deuteronomy 7: 12 -- 15).

Take a few moments today to evaluate your present state and commitment of obedience to God. Have you allowed your circumstance to lead to compromise/partial obedience? If so, recommit yourself today to following God's instruction no matter what!

Check out the video below of former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs discussing obedience.

Join our class facebook group!

Hi everyone,

I don't know about all of you but so far it's been a very busy week. However, I have been working on the problem of how we can communicate with each other (post notes, obtain phone numbers, and chat with each other) through this blog.

The answer is that we really can't. However, I have learned about a solution. If you look to the right side of the blog (under the How to Become a Christian entry), you will see a link to a class facebook group that I have created for us. You will need to join facebook (It is not hard) in order to use this tool. Go to http://www.facebook.com and create your profile. Then you can search for our group (Mark Brewer Sunday school class (FBC Thomasville)) and request membership. I have to give you permission to join once you request membership. Obviously since I don't sit at the computer 24/7, it will take time for permission to be granted. However, once you have joined, you will be able to post notes, pictures, videos, or look up info about class members simply by clicking the link at the right and using your password (I think).

Only the people that have permission to access the site can see the information that is contained on it so it is a safe medium for posting your personal contact information (unless you would rather our class not have it which is fine), prayer requests, pictures, etc.

Therefore, I will continue to post general class information on the Blog but the facebook site will allow all of us to "chat" and offer words of encouragement to each other during the week. Pretty cool from my viewpoint.

Please continue to pray for the Barwicks. Ken and Leigh, we love both of you!

Choose God's way...life is better when you do! (Class notes from 9/28/08)

Background passage: 1 Samuel 7: 2 -- 8:22

This week, we are continuing our study of 1 Samuel. Last week, Keith discussed chapter seven focusing on the importance of avoiding idolatry. In chapter seven, we see the Israeli people turn back toward God after a long period of rebellion. As a result, the Philistine rule under which they have been living is lifted. They regain their freedom and their lands are restored. Samuel travels the country on a regular basis as judge of the nation. They are at peace and they are prospeous (chapter 7:13-- 16). However, a problem is looming that leads to uncertainty in the mind of the Israelites...Samuel, there earthly leader, is growing old (chapter 8: 1).

1 Samuel 8: 3 --5

Samuel's sons are corrupt and the elders of Israel become concerned about their future. They have been prosperous and they do not want to lose what they have gained. Therefore, they think that it is best to move away from the priestly leadership that they have followed up to that point and moved to a monarchy, just like the pagan nations that surround them. Notice that instead of relying on God's plan, they begin to follow the model of non--believing people around them. Keep in mind also that it is God's plan for them to eventually have a great King (Jesus). However, their timing is wrong.

At the present time, our country seems to be facing the same type of situation. We have generally been prosperous for a number of years and currently, we seem to be facing increasing corruption and decay. Many of our own class members have been working hard for several years to provide for our families and save for the present/future. We worry about losing what we have gained or stored up (much like the Israelites in Samuel's time). Our job is to seek God's will for us and to trust Him with the outcome. Whose voice and whose example do you find yourself following when trouble seems to be on the horizon? Are you listening to an unsaved financial advisor, following the example of a lost neighbor, seeking help from Oprah, or reading secular self--help books for your answers?

Read Psalms 37:1-- 2. Remember that God is in control of both good and evil men. He makes the rain to fall on both the good and the bad. He raises up governments for His purposes. Praise Him for His power as you go through the day today and commit to following HIM even in uncertain times.

1 Samuel 8: 9-- 19 Samuel reports the request of the Israeli people to the Lord. God instructs Samuel to explain to the people what life will be like under rule of the king that they are requesting. Life will be difficult. A king will take their property, their children, their goods, and will eventually enslave them. Knowing all these things, they ask for a king anyway.

As Christians, we also face a choice. We can use the freedom that we have obtained through our faith in Christ however we choose. God gives us that choice!

Read Galatians 5: 13-- 16. In these verses, Paul encourages us to use our freedom to serve each other in love. He encourages us to follow the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit. Choosing to follow our own worldly "king" leads to immoral acts (Galatians 5:19--21) and I am sure we can all think of instances where we have travelled down this path. Recall the remorse and pain that you felt along the way (or the guilt afterward). On the other hand, following God's plan and the direction of the Holy Spirit leads to love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self--control (Galatians 5:22). Obviously, these qualities lead to fulfillment and contentment!

Make a commitment today to trust God with your future, even in the face of uncertainty. His way is the best way. He loves us. If he says turn left, it is because it is not in your best interest to go in any other direction. Read Psalm 37 this week. Pay attention especially to verses 3--5, 7-- 8, 18-19, 23-24, 30-31, 34, 37, 39-40.

I love you all and thanks for reading the Sunday School Letter!!

When troubled... (class notes from 9/7/08)

Background passages: I Samuel chapters 1 and 2

Focal passages: I Samuel 1: 1-11.

This week, we are starting a study of first and second Samuel. First Samuel covers a period of time that lasts approximately 115 years. It starts with the birth of Samuel who was the last judge of Israel. He was born in1085 B.C. which was the same year that Samson began to judge Israel. Therefore, the events that take place in today's focal passage occurred during the years prior to Samson's judgeship. Israel at that time was under the control of the Philistine nation. Since this occurred during a time of rebellion, many of the people would not have been very devoted to God. Elkanah, however was not one of these. He was devoted to God.

1 Samuel: 1 -- 3

A. The family unit

1. Elkanah (the husband): he was devout. Even during a time when many of his neighbors were in rebellion against God, he was faithful. 1 Chronicles tells us that his family lineage was that of a Levite (the priestly line). However, there is no mention of him serving in the temple in any official capactiy. Most likely, he was a common man (just like us) . V. 3 says that he went to worship and sacrifice at Shiloh yearly and that this continued to be his custom. He brought his offerings even though the priests Hophnis and Phinehas who received the offering were corrupt (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22). However, he was not perfect. He had married two wives. In his commentary, Matthew Henry writes, " Thus are men often beaten with rods of their own making." I think Elkanah found this statement to be true.


2. Hannah: likely Elkanah's first wife. She was blessed in that Elkanah loved her. (V.5) However, this blessing wasn't enough. She, like most of us, focused less on her blessings and more on what she lacked... children. Make a list of blessings God has given you. Post it in a place that you will see it during the week. Take time to thank God for your blessings!


3. Peninnah: Elkanah's second wife. She was blessed with many children. However, instead of this blessing leading to compassion and thankfulness, she became haughty and insolent. She began lording her fertility over Hannah "to irritate her" (v. 6). She wanted to inflict pain. Her actions intensified whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord (v.7). Think of people that you know are suffering some type of pain or loss. Do something today to help show compassion toward them.

B. The problem: Hannah is barren and becomes so distraught that she allows her lack of fertility to become the overriding concern in her life. She is incapacitated by her grief (v.7) to the point that she weeps and will not eat. This occurred at a time when she should have been worshipful (she had gone up to the house of the Lord to give her offering). Contrast this to Paul's response last week during the midst of the storm. He stood in chains, encouraging his captors, and offering prayers of thanksgiving to God.

C. The solution: First, Elkanah played a role in helping. He knew that his wife's barrenness was troublesome to her. Therefore, he gave her a double portion (v.5). He was assuring her of her value to him. Even though she was not perfect, with this gift he was telling her that it did not matter. He loved her anyway. He did not wait for her to ask. He simply acted. He also provided encouragement when she was in her deepest time of despair. He lovingly, with empathy, inquired about her pain. He did not condemn her but does remind her of her blessing (v. 8). None of us have perfect spouses. However, we need to take steps to assure them that we love them and will stand by them no matter what. This is how we demonstrate unconditional love. Second, Hannah stands up and in a moment of true worship, prays for help. Her prayer is deeply sincere but simple (V.10-11). She has a sense of grief as she prays. We also need a sense of grief in order to pray effectively. James tells us that we should grieve, mourn, and wail over our sin. Jesus instructs us in the Lord's prayer to ask for forgiveness for our sin. If we are to find help with our troubles, we must deal with the sin in our life and trust God with the rest of the plan. This is exactly what Hannah did. (v.10-11).

Facing the Storm (Class Notes from 8/31/08)

Background passages: Acts 27:1- 44.
Focal passages: Acts 27: 9-12, 16-17, 22-26, 30-32, 33-36

As we continue our study of the book of Acts, hurricane Gustav threatens the gulf coast and we read about Paul’s own experience with a major storm. We all face personal storms. We have problems with our relationships, health, finances, child rearing, aging parents, jobs, and material possessions. Is there a lesson we can learn to help us make it through these storms? Paul’s experience is a lesson to us.

Paul has been imprisoned in Caesarea and has appealed to Caesar. He begins a journey (likely in August or September) and travels by ship to Myra along the southern coast of modern day Turkey. At Malta, he is placed on a ship (likely a large grain ship) by his Roman guards. They sail southwest and arrive eventually in Fair Havens on the island of Crete. A storm is brewing…

Acts 27:9-12 Sometimes, we can avoid the storm.
1. Use common sense (v.9). Although Paul was not a sailor, it was common knowledge that travel by sea in the Mediterranean Sea after the Fast (likely the Day of Atonement which occurred in early October) was dangerous. We should use our common knowledge to avoid situations that threaten us.
2. Recognize signs (v. 10). Paul could see that it was dangerous to put to sea under the present circumstance.
3. Follow wise counsel (v.11). The centurion ignored Paul’s recommendations although he could examine the same signs that Paul saw. Instead, he chose to follow the foolish counsel of the ship’s pilot.
4. Don’t overestimate your own strength/ability. The ship’s pilot undoubtedly felt that they would make it to Phoenix unharmed. Despite knowing the facts and seeing the signs, he sailed anyway. Sometimes we have an “it can’t happen to us” mentality and believe that we can handle a situation that is potentially devastating to us or those that we love.
5. Recognize that small decisions can have major consequences (v.12). Phoenix was only about 38 miles from Fair Haven. I’m sure that the pilot and centurion felt that it was “no big deal” to sail this short distance which would normally only take a few hours. However, this small decision had major consequences!

Acts 27: 16-17. Use breaks in the storm to prepare.
The ship is overtaken by a Northeaster (a major storm that came over the Crete mountains and caught the ship by surprise). It is driven by the violent storm and passes by a small island (Cauda). Temporarily, the storm is diminished. The crew uses the opportunity to:
1. Secure the lifeboat
2. Reinforce the strength of the ship
3. Raise the anchor and lower the sails
We also need to use breaks in personal storms that catch us by surprise to prepare for its return.

Acts 27: 22-26. Don’t lose courage!
1. What is the worst that can happen to a Christian (v.22)? We can lose our material possessions, suffer physical or emotional pain, or even lose our physicl life. However, in the end, we will be with the Lord in heaven. We need to have a long range perspective and understand that nothing can remove us from the saving grace under which we live! (Ephesians 1: 13-14)
2. God is in control. (v.25) Read Isaiah 40: 21-26.
3. Even given the above facts, we need to understand and be prepared for the fact that on this earth, bad things happen (v.26). Sometimes, the ship will be lost.

Acts 27: 30-32. Sometimes, drastic measures must be taken.
The soldiers were forced to cut away the lifeboat in order to be saved. I am sure that they must have thought of other alternatives to this drastic measure, especially since the ship on which they were located had been battered for 2 weeks by the raging storm. Sometimes, we must "cut the ties to our lifeboat" in order to survive our storm. During these trials, our faith is increased.

Acts 27: 33-34. We need nourishment!
Storms can be exhausting. We need both physical and spiritual nourishment to “make it through”. We must get proper rest and nutrition. Jesus spent increasing time in prayer as His crucifixion approached. We should also when facing our storms.

Acts 27: 35-36. We should give thanks to God.
Amazingly, despite being beaten, stoned, ridiculed, imprisoned, and living in the midst of a powerful, violent, life-threatening storm for 2 weeks Paul stood up before the crew and gave THANKS to God (v.35)! We also, should thank God regularly for sending His son to die for us. His love for us is immeasurable.
As a result of Paul’s behavior, all 276 passengers on the ship were encouraged (v.36). The way that we weather our storms matters. Others see our actions and are either encouraged or discouraged. Which honors the Lord most?

In the end, all 276 passengers aboard the ship reach shore safely although the ship itself was destroyed by the pounding surf after running aground on the coast of Malta (almost 500 miles west of Crete). The storm was over and Paul’s faith in action had once again triumphed! We also can find victory in our storms. I pray that you will be encouraged and challenged by Paul’s experience.

Welcome to our new Sunday school class blog!

Hi everyone,

I hope that the creation of this blog will be the beginning (kind of like the dawn of a beautiful new day!) of keeping us all "on the same page". Hopefully, it will allow us all to stay in touch and up-to-date on all of the "news that's fit to print" about our class. I will be posting prayer requests, information of interest, and interesting links (to me at least!). Within the next few weeks I will add our class roll. This is your blog as much as mine so if you have any suggestions, please let me know. As things change during the week and needs become known, please let me know (phone 2270127, email brewer@rose.net) and I will post them ASAP. The items on the right side of the page will remain permanently in place but notes like this one will gradually scroll down and off the page as new notes (or blogs) are created. The archive in the bottom right corner will allow you to search for old notes if you desire. Currenly, only I have the password to change the page (what power!) but if anyone wants to help post, let me know and I will go over how the page works and the password. I love you all and pray that you have a great week!

New Blog Feature!

Hello everyone and happy Monday!

Just a quick note to make you aware of a new feature on the right side of the page. I have started a "blogs of interest" list and plan to link blogs created by our class members or our fellow church members. If you are aware of any of these sites, please let me know and I will add them to the list. As you can see, this page will show you whether a new entry has been entered recently on the various blogs listed (now that's a wordy sentence!). That way, you will not need to visit other blogs to check for new entries. Just come here.

Please remember to pray daily for all of those listed.

Mark

Build A Bridge (Class notes from 8/24/08)

Scripture verses:
Background passage: Acts 21:1-26:32
Focal passages: Acts 24:22-26, Acts 26:12-25, Acts 26: 26-27, Acts 26: 28-31


We are continuing our study of the book of Acts. In the passages covered this week, Paul has traveled to Jerusalem. Once there, he is arrested and imprisoned following a riot instigated by a group of Jewish men visiting from Asia. They saw Paul in the synagogue and incited the crowd against him. Once arrested by Claudius Lysias (the Roman commander), there is a plot to kill Paul and therefore, he is transferred to Caesarea. At Caesarea, Paul appears initially before Governor Felix. Governor Felix keeps Paul imprisoned and questions him over a two year period of time. After that, Felix is replaced by Festus and he eventually asks the region king (Agrippa) to hear Paul’s case.

We are focusing on Paul’s interaction with Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.

Think of 3 people that you interact with that you know are not Christians. As you study the passages, think about your witness to these people.

Acts 24:22-26
a. Felix’ motivation for having Paul come before him was to give Paul to opportunity to bribe Felix for Paul's release (v.26).
b. Paul took the opportunity not to argue for his freedom, but to witness to Felix (v.24-25).
c. Felix was already very familiar with the gospel (v.22) but Paul presented it anyway. Even though Felix had heard the gospel and not made a profession of faith, Paul kept talking.
d. We must take opportunities that arise to advance the gospel in the world, even to people that have power over us or that have heard the gospel previously. Too often, we focus only on what will advance our lives in the workplace, ball field, social circle, or present circumstance. Who on your list of 3 falls into this category? How can you “build a bridge” so that you can share the gospel with them on a regular basis.
Acts 26:12-25
a. In these verses, Paul is addressing King Agrippa but in verse 24, it is Festus who interrupts and ridicules Paul, claiming that Paul is “crazy”.
b. Paul does not respond with anger or an escalation in tone leading to an argument. Instead, he responds with respect to Festus (referring to him as “most excellent Festus”).
c. When we face confrontation or ridicule when presenting the gospel (and we will if we present it frequently), we must defuse the situation. If it becomes an argument, people will become close minded to the gospel…more focused on simply winning the argument and less receptive to what we are saying. Who on your list of 3 is likely to ridicule you for your faith and how can you respond to show respect for them? How can you “build a bridge” that will encourage them to at least listen calmly to what you are saying?
Acts 26:26-27
a. At this point, King Agrippa has been silent. He is Jewish and knows the scripture thoroughly.
b. Knowing this, Paul asks him a direct question that brings him to a point of acceptance or rejection of the gospel.
c. Who on your list of 3 has knowledge of the gospel and needs to be brought to a point of decision? How can you build a bridge to the point that you can raise the question to them?
Acts 26:28-31
a. King Agrippa rejects Paul’s invitation.
b. Paul’s response is one of concern and compassion, not condemnation. This attitude leaves a door open for Paul to speak to King Agrippa again in the future.
c. We need to understand and be prepared for people to reject the gospel. Who on your list of 3 is likely to reject your presentation of the gospel? How can you “build a bridge” and show concern/compassion for them?

Parenting Conference September 6th

Hi everyone,

I hope that the week has been going great so far. I noticed some additional information about the parenting conference that I have mentioned over the last couple of Sundays. I have copied and pasted it below. If you are interested, please call the church office (228-6800) for more details and TO REGISTER!

Parenting Conference

BECAUSE KIDS DON'T COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS (they're just born slimy)
Saturday, September 6, 2008

Details:
The purpose of this event is to encourage parents of First Baptist Church and Thomas County in their important role, to equip them to more effectively raise their children, and to facilitate stronger family connections within our church family. It will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch included. Call the church office for more information or to register. Each participant will receive a copy of John Burnett’s book, THE FAMILY’S HEART. Childcare is available upon request.

Speakers:
Dr. Mike Zoda, PhD (Family Therapist, The Family Healing Center)
John Burnett (Family Ministries Consultant, Georgia Baptist Convention)

Program:
8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Introductory Session
9:45 a.m. Move to Breakout Sessions
Parents of Children with John Burnett – Youth Area
Parents of Teens with Mike Zoda – Fellowship Hall
10:00 a.m. Breakout Session 1
11:00 a.m. Breakout Session 2
Noon a.m. Lunch/Q & A with John and Mike

P.S - I added "the born slimy part" :)

Mark

Saddleback Presidential Forum hosted by Rick Warren

Hello again!
Leigh Barwick mentioned the CNN televised Saddleback Presidential Forum hosted by Rick Warren on Sunday. I have viewed some of the video of the conference and felt like it might be beneficial to all. I have posted links to the videos at the botom of this page (just above a poll that I created to get some idea of how helpful this site will be). The videos were posted on the YouTube site (youtube.com) and I found what appears to be the entirety of the forum in 10 separate 10 minute videos (it's kind of time consuming to watch them all). I will leave the video links up until the election and consider adding other links to debates and other forums if it is helpful. Feel free to click on the comment button at the bottom of a post to leave feedback and comments. The comment will appear after I have a chance review it to make sure that it is not offensive (I have not restricted access to the page or who can comment so I need the preview ability to prevent vandalism- not to censor your comments).

Until next time...

Run the race! (Class notes from 8/17/08)

Scripture verses: Acts 20: 22-27, I Corinthians 9: 24-27, Galatians 5: 7-8, Hebrews 12: 1-3, Ecclesiastes 9:11, 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.

It's Olympics month and during the past week, we have witnessed extraordinary athletic accomplishments! Usain Bolt (as in lightning!) ran 100 meters in 9. 69 seconds while celebrating during the last several meters, Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals in swimming (setting 7 world records in the process), and Constantina Tomescu-Dita (a 5 foot 3 inch 106 pound 38 year-old mother of a teenager) won the women's marathon in 2 hours 26 minutes 44 seconds.

We are continuing our study of the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit has directed Paul to go to Jerusalem and has told him tht he will face imprisonment and hardship once he arrives. In Acts 20, Paul is saying good-bye to the elders of the church in Ephesus (undoubtedly close friends).

In thinking about these athletes and reading the above scriptures, several points are of interest to us:

1. Paul is determined to finish the race God has told him to run (Acts 20: 24). Likewise, we must have a strong desire to run and finish the race God has given each one of us. Are you determined to run the race God has given you?


2. Paul has a clear understanding of the race that God has given him to run (testifying to the gospel of God's grace (Acts 20: 24, I Cor 9: 26, 27)). We also need a clear understanding of what race God has given us. Each of us, following our salvation, has been gifted by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12: 7-11). Therefore, we have specific "talents" and are expected to develop them and use them to complete the task for which God created us (I Cor 9:24-27). We need to understand that if we are uncertain of our gift and the race that we are to run, we will not be effective. What race are you supposed to run (be specific)?


3. We must train in order to win our race! (I Cor 9: 25, Heb 12: 1) What specific training do you do in order to prepare for the race God has given you to run?


4. A coach is needed to keep us on track. In Acts, the Holy Spirit is directing (coaching) Paul. In Hebrews 3: 2-3, we are told to fix our eyes on Jesus and consider Him so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. Seek out a coach to help you, mentor you, correct you, and encourage you! Who is your coach?
   
5. Don't give up or get distracted! (Gal 5: 7-8)


6. Understand that the outcome of the race is in God's hands. (Eccl 9: 11)


7. Finishing your race will lead to reward (2 Tim 4: 7-8)

If you are unsure of the race that God wants you to run, start by identifing the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given you. Click the link below: http://www.christianet.com/bible/spiritualgiftstest.htm

If you know your gift but aren't using it, call the church office to speak to one of the staff about opportunities or look for a personal ministry project. If you are having trouble thinking of ministry ideas, Click the link below: http://www.servantevangelism.com/main.cfm

Have a great week!