gravity: the Holy Spirit

We teach…

… that the Holy Spirit is fully God, the Person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He supernaturally regenerates, baptizes and gifts all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; 2nd Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18).


… the Holy Spirit convicts the world.

“When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8

…the Holy Spirit supernaturally regenerates and baptizes Christ-followers.

“He has made us compentent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthinas 12:13

...the Holy Spirit indwells and seals Christ-followers.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

1. How familiar were you with the Holy Spirit when you were growing up (or began a journey with Christ)?



2. What can you learn about the character and nature of the Holy Spirit from these scriptures?

Psalm 139:7-8:

Acts 5:3-4:

Hebrews 9:14:

Matthew 28:19-20:

Isaiah 11:2:

Hebrews 10:29:

Ephesians 4:30:

Acts 9:31:

For more check out the teaching series, Celebrity Spirit available free at www.zionlife.com/media or for purchase at guest services.

3. What can be learned about the role of the Holy Spirit from the following scriptures?

To those who do not yet know Christ—John 16:8-11

To Christ-followers—Romans 8:26-27

Keeping Christ-followers secure—Ephesians 1:13-14

Gravity: the Son

We teach…
… We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1–2, 14; Luke 1:35).

o As Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Rm. 3:24; 1 Pet. 1:3–5; 2:24; Eph. 1:7).
o As High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John. 2:1–2).
o As King, the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again to, establish His kingdom, claim His Bride and judge the living and the dead (1 Pet. 4:5; Rm. 14:9; 2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 19-22).

the Son is Savior.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7

…the Son is High Priest.

“Therefore since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” Hebrews 4:14

...the Son is King.

“For this reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:9
1. Read John 8:48-59. What does Jesus assert about himself in this passsage?

2. What claim is Jesus making when he says, “before Abraham was born, I am”? See Exodus 3:14.

3. How do his hearers react to this statement? Why?

4. What do the following scriptures teach about Jesus’ identity?

Isaiah 9:6:

Matthew 1:23:

John 1:1:

Mark 8:27-30:

Philippians 2:6-8:

Colossians 1:15:

Hebrews 1:8:

Revelations 4:11:

5. If Jesus asked you the question he asked Peter in Mark 8:29, how would you answer him?

Application:

6. John 14:10—Because Jesus is my Savior (saves me from my sin) I will:

7. Hebrews 4:14-16—Because Jesus is my High Priest (represents me before God) I will:

8. Philippians 2:9-10—Because Jesus is my King (Ruler and Judge) I will:

Summer On-Mission Opportunities

I received great feedback from last Friday's post of Matt Carter speaking on groups and mission. Here is a list of on-mission opportunities for your group:

Summer Fest 2009, June 29th-July 1st at ZPV. Help ZPV host their first Summer Fest. Contact: Pastor Joe, joe@zionlife.com.

4th of July Fireworks, Friday, July 3rd @ CUP field. Hand out poppers and invitations to the Summer Block Party. Contact: Michael Cooper, m_the_red@yahoo.com.

Jesus Pantry, Mondays, July 13th and August 10th @ ZCC. Distribute boxes of food to needy families in our community. Contact: Betsy Cooper, jbcoop111@yahoo.com.

PA Cares for Kids Triathlon, Saturday, July 18th in Jefferson County. ZJC is a co-sponsor of the event. On-mission opportunities include pre-race registration, staffing aid stations, handing out drinks along the course, shuttling walkers, set-up and teardown. The race begins at 9:30 a.m., volunteers are needed from 8:00 until 3:00. Work all or part of the day. Contact: Sharon Doolittle, doolittle12@alltel.net.

Canvassing, Sunday, July 26th in Clarion. Go door to door in Clarion and surrounding communities inviting families to the Summer Block Party. Packs of invitations are available at Guest Services. Contact: Michael Cooper, m_the_red@yahoo.com.

Summer Block Party 2009, Saturday, August 1st, 11:00 to 3:00 at Clarion Memorial Park. On-mission opportunities include serving lunch, staffing the bounce house and climbing wall, set-up and teardown. Contact: Pastor Brandon, brandon@zionlife.com.

CUP Freshmen Move-in Day, Friday, August 28th @ CUP. Assist incoming students move into their dorm room. Contact: david.hartley9568@gmail.com.

We teach…
… We teach God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth. By His word and for His glory, He freely created everything out of nothing. He is complete Sovereign and by His Word He daily sustains and rules over all creation, with the Son and Holy Spirit. As Father, He gave His Son Jesus Christ for mankind's redemption and intends for man to live in fellowship with Himself (Gen. 1:1; I Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 36:6; 139: 16; and John 3:16).

1. At some point everyone must come to a conclusion about God. Jesus said that life’s ultimate purpose is to know God (John 17:3). What ideas about God are popular in our culture? Are these ideas helpful or hurtful?
2. In Exodus 3:13-14 Moses encounters God face to face and asks God, “Who are you?” How did God answer Moses and what do you conclude about God’s character and nature from that answer?
3. God is the Creator. God created all that is “ex nihilo” “out of nothing". Read Genesis 1:1-5 and Hebrews 11:3. What do we learn about God’s role in creation?
4. Read Psalm 139. What is learned about God from this Psalm?
5. Jesus most often addressed God as “Father.” For many this description hinders a truthful view of God. Bible teacher Louie Giglio states, “God is not a reflection of our earthly fathers; (but rather) He is the perfection of our earthly fathers.” How as your earthly father affected the way you perceive God the Father?
6. Romans 8:13-17 unfolds one of the greatest pictures of the Father heart of God. Because God the Father gave his Son we are able to relate to God, the Sovereign Creator as “Abba.” Take some time to worship the Father for the gift of Jesus.

On-Mission Groups

THE SHOW - for May 19, 2009 - Guest Matt Carter from on Vimeo.

Here's a clip from the Leadership Network featuring Pastor Matt Carter talking about missional groups in his church. I here stories all the time of groups being on mission together. How has mission helped your group grow in community?

not only the gospel of God but our lives as well...

Yesterday I took my girls to watch some little league baseball. It was exciting to see so many Zion folks cheering and coaching little league. I was impressed again by the commitment you have to live on mission to the community God has called us to. The Apostle Paul said it like this in 1st Thessalonians 1:8, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Thanks for giving me the opportunity to partner with you.

gravity: the Word

gravity: scriptureWe teach…
…the 66 books of the Holy Bible are inspired (God-breathed), without error in the original writings, and the final authority for faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16- 17; 2 Peter 1:20- 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12- 13)


The Bible is inspired by God.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16

The Bible is without error.

“Sanctify then by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

Hebrews 1:1 says, “In the past God spoke to our forfathers through the prophets at many times and in various says.”

o God spoke directly to the writer (Revelations 2).
o The author did research (Luke 1:1-3).
o The Holy Spirit reminded the writer of events (John 14:26)

For more on evideces for the reliability of the Bible check out www.leestrobel.com

The Bible is always our final authority for faith and life.

“So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”2 Timothy 3:17

Application:
Take time this week to meditate on Psalm 119. What does this psalm have to say about the inspiration, infallibility and authority of Scripture? How will you respond to what you know about the Bible?

Discuss:
1. Have you ever wrestled with doubts about the authority or reliability of the Bible? How did you resolve that struggle?
2. Read 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; and 2 Peter 1:21. How should believing that the Bible is “God-breathed” affect the way you read the Bible?
3. Can you remember a time when you encountered a Bible passage that you understood, and that spoke directly to what you were experiencing at that time? Share your experience.
4. What do you do when you encounter a Bible passage that you do not understand? For help studying the Bible follow this link: http://www.zondervan.com/media/samples/pdf/0310273005_samptxt.pdf
5. When we state that the Bible is without error we mean it is both “inerrant” (truthful) and “infallible” (trustworthy). Read Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18; and Titus 1:2. Why is it important to stress both inerrant and infallible?
6. Read Psalm 119.* What are the benefits of the Scriptures being a priority in your life? How can your LifeGroup help you do this?
* If using this question during a group gathering, read Psalm 119:1-24.