In Acts 9:36-42 we are introduced to Tabitha (also known by her Greek name, “Dorcas”) a disciple, “full of good works and charitable deeds.” (Acts 9:36) What additional insights does this passage provide about her?
Compare the qualities of Tabitha’s faith with the description of a godly woman in 1 Timothy 2:9-10.
What emphasis does the New Testament put on our good works?
Matthew 5:16—
Ephesians 2:10—
1 Timothy 5:25—
Titus 2:7, 14, and 3:8—
Hebrews 10:24—
1 Peter 2:12—
Family Discussion and Application:
Tabitha used her skills to make clothes for widows and the poor (Acts 9:39). What are ways our family can use our gifts and skills to minister to others?
Yesterday was AMAZING! A big shout out to the Calvary Chapel worship band for leading our worship and to Matthew West for sharing Sunday morning. $13,600 was given to missions, over 200 bags of food and necessities for Monmouth County families in need were donated and over 100 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child collected. Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” NMBC family, God was glorified yesterday by your response to the 3:16 challenge. Thank you.
The Matthew West: Story of Your Life concert last night was much more than a concert. God showed up and lives were changed. Be in prayer for those who responded last night by coming forward for prayer. Pray that last night would truly be the beginning of healing in their lives. Let’s also keep Matthew West and his band and team in our prayers as the tour continues. You can keep up with the tour at matthewwest.com.
Eternal life in John 3:16 refers not only to the “quantity” of life, that is it is eternal; but also the “quality” of life, life in relationship with the God who “so loved”. John Piper in God is the Gospel asks, “If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and not human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?”
How do you answer this question?
Read John 17:3. How does Jesus define eternal life?
Read and mediate on the following scriptures. What do they reveal about the nature of eternal life?
Psalm 16:11—
Psalm 21:4-6—
John 4:14—
John 10:10—
John 11:12-26—
Ephesians 1:3-14—
Colossians 3:4—
Read John 4:35-36. How ought the reality of eternal life to motivate a follower of Jesus?
As part of our 3:16 Challenge we're receiving a special offering this Sunday of Shoeboxes for the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. Here are instructions on how to pack a shoebox:
1.Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.
2. BOY OR GIRL?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
Additional lables can be downloaded http://www.samaritanspurse.org/pdf/one_sheet.pdf
3. FILL WITH GIFTS
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.
4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION
Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.
Check out this video for more tips on packing your shoebox:
Max Lucado observes, “Thanks to Christ, this earth can be the nearest you will come to hell. But apart from Christ, this earth is the nearest you’ll come to heaven.” Imbedded in the promise of John 3:16 is a warning showing the world what is at stake.
Read the remainder of Jesus’ comments to Nicodemus in John 3:17-21 and John’s message in verses 31-36. How are those who receive eternal life contrasted with those who are perishing?
What do the following scriptures reveal about hell?
Matthew 25:41 & 2 Peter 2:4— (Note: “Tartarus is a term synonymously with Hades)
Matthew 13:40-42; John 3:36; & Jude 7—
Matthew 7:23; Revelation 21:8; & 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10—
As part of our 3:16 Challenge we're doing a food drive to benefit the Long Branch Ronald McDonald House. Brian Thompson shared how he and Jennifer were blessed by the Ronald McDonald House when their baby boy, two days after being born required surgery. In Jeremiah 29:7 God instructs His people, "Seek the welfare of the city I have (called) you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf..." I am grateful for the care this organization gave members of our church family and am looking forward to blessing them and the families they serve in Jesus' name.
This food drive is one of four special offerings being received on Celebration Sunday, October 16th.
John 3:16 describes the degree to which God loved the world by revealing that “He gave His One and Only Son.” John 1:1-3 explains that the Son is eternal and Creator along with the Father. The eternally existing Son became human, “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us” (John 1:14) God, the Son taking on humanity what Bible teachers refer to as the incarnation— of which the root is the Latin carnis – flesh.
What insights do the following Scriptures provide regarding the necessity of the incarnation for our salvation?
Genesis 3:15—
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23—
Isaiah 52:10—
2 Corinthians 5:21—
Read Philippians 2:1. What benefits (encouragement) do you enjoy as a result of Christ in your life? (See also Psalm 103.)
Read verses 2 thru 4. What is to be your response?
