Sunday, August 31, 2008

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.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

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!

Monday, August 25, 2008

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

Sunday, August 24, 2008

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?

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

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...

Sunday, August 17, 2008

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!