Sunday, December 28, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Prepare Him Room, Part 4 (Matthew 2:1-20) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
What is known about the wise men or magi who
traveled from the east to worship Jesus is learned from the Matthew 2:1-16.
Magi or MAGOS “refers to those who
have wisdom through investigation and interpretation of the movements of
heavenly bodies” (Holeman Study Bible
Notes, Matthew 2:1, 7, & 16). These magi were believed to have originated
from Babylon where their ancestors interacted with Jewish exiles at the time of
the prophets’ writing of a coming Messiah. It is not known how many wise men
there were only that they brought three types of gifts; gold, frankincense, and
myrrh (Matthew 1:11). The names “Gaspar”, “Melchior”, and “Balthasar” are the
result of legend and tradition and are not found in the biblical text. Further,
as revealed by Matthew 2:11, “And when they were come into the house, they saw
the young child with Mary His mother…” the wise men did not arrive the night of
Jesus’ birth, but some time later.
In search of the Jewish Messiah these wise men
logically made their way to the Jerusalem, the spiritual and cultural center of
Israel. When the regional king, Herod inquired as to the birthplace of the
Messiah the chief priests and scribes quoted from Micah 5:2. Read Micah 5:2-5.
What details about the Messiah are revealed in this passage?
King Herod, lying to the wise men, instructed them, “Go
and search carefully for the child… report back to me so that I too can go and
worship Him.” (Matthew 2:8, HCSB) What do the following Scriptures reveal about
authentic and inauthentic worship?
Matthew 7:21-23--
Mark 5:6--
Psalm 96:9 & John 4:24--
John 6:29 & Romans 12:1--
Hebrews 11:6--
Application
Pastor and author Louie Giglio observes, “Worship is
the activity of the of the human soul. So not only do all people worship, but
they worship all the time.” Herod’s lie to the wise men that he too desired to “worship”
the young Messiah ultimately revealed the true object of his worship, himself. Jesus
taught that genuine worship, the worship that God accepts is worship rooted in “spirit
and in truth” (John 4:24). The starting point for this worship (“work”) is to “believe
in the One” sent by God-- Jesus Christ (John 2:29). Have you, in response to
God giving His Son on your behalf, surrendered your life to Him? Have you, like
the wise men, discovered the gift of Christmas? (Matthew 2:10)
Monday, December 15, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Prepare Him Room, Part 2 (Matthew 1:18-25) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
Most of what we know about Joseph, the man God chose to be the foster father of
Jesus is found in the first two chapters of Matthew’s gospel, first three chapters of
Luke’s gospel and two verses in John’s gospel quoting others referring to Jesus as his
son (John 1:45 and 6:42). The last mention of Joseph in the New Testament is found
in the parallel verses of Luke 4:22 and John 6:42, “And they said, Is not this Joseph's
son?” What specific details about Joseph do you observe in the following Scriptures?
Luke 2:4; John 1:45--
Matthew 1:20-24; 2:13-14; 2:19-20--
Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23--
Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3--
Matthew 1:19-20--
Luke 2:21-22; 2:41--
Luke 2:33, 46--
Perhaps the greatest affirmation of any man’s character is said of Joseph in Matthew
1:19, “So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man…” (HSCB) The word “righteous”
comes from the Greek word dikaios referring to those whose character and actions are
“wholly conformed to the will of God, approved of or acceptable of God” (Strong’s,
g1342). What do you glean about the righteous from the following Scriptures?
2 Corinthians 9:10; 11:15--
Ephesians 5:8-10; 6:14--
James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:2--
Philippians 1:11; James 3:18; and 2 Peter 3:13--
Application
Ultimately, Jesus Christ alone is the “Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). At salvation, the
believer is credited (imputed) Christ’s righteousness (Romans 4:5; 10:10; Philippians
3:9; and Titus 3:5). A fruit of being “clothed in Christ’s righteousness” is growing daily
in righteous (holy) living (Philippians 1:11). How is the Holy Spirit leading you to pursue
righteousness (holiness) in your day to day life? How might this be a prerequisite for
being used by God?
Most of what we know about Joseph, the man God chose to be the foster father of
Jesus is found in the first two chapters of Matthew’s gospel, first three chapters of
Luke’s gospel and two verses in John’s gospel quoting others referring to Jesus as his
son (John 1:45 and 6:42). The last mention of Joseph in the New Testament is found
in the parallel verses of Luke 4:22 and John 6:42, “And they said, Is not this Joseph's
son?” What specific details about Joseph do you observe in the following Scriptures?
Luke 2:4; John 1:45--
Matthew 1:20-24; 2:13-14; 2:19-20--
Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23--
Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3--
Matthew 1:19-20--
Luke 2:21-22; 2:41--
Luke 2:33, 46--
Perhaps the greatest affirmation of any man’s character is said of Joseph in Matthew
1:19, “So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man…” (HSCB) The word “righteous”
comes from the Greek word dikaios referring to those whose character and actions are
“wholly conformed to the will of God, approved of or acceptable of God” (Strong’s,
g1342). What do you glean about the righteous from the following Scriptures?
2 Corinthians 9:10; 11:15--
Ephesians 5:8-10; 6:14--
James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:2--
Philippians 1:11; James 3:18; and 2 Peter 3:13--
Application
Ultimately, Jesus Christ alone is the “Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). At salvation, the
believer is credited (imputed) Christ’s righteousness (Romans 4:5; 10:10; Philippians
3:9; and Titus 3:5). A fruit of being “clothed in Christ’s righteousness” is growing daily
in righteous (holy) living (Philippians 1:11). How is the Holy Spirit leading you to pursue
righteousness (holiness) in your day to day life? How might this be a prerequisite for
being used by God?
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Prepare Him Room, Part One (Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 9:6-7) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
The prophet Isaiah lived seven hundred years before
the birth of Christ and wrote the book of Isaiah
sometime between 740-698 B.C. Isaiah served as God’s prophet during the reigns
of four kings, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The message of Isaiah is one
of warning and judgment for their rebellion against God and call to repentance,
“Listen heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: ‘I have
raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me… O
sinful nation, people weighted down with iniquity, brood of evildoers…” (Isaiah
1:2,4a HCSB).
Ultimately however, the book of Isaiah is a message
of hope and good news! God would one day redeem His people through the One who “bore
the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12b). Isaiah’s prophesies about Jesus are amazingly
accurate. Luke 1:26-38 records the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that
she is the woman of whom Isaiah prophesied, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear
a son…” (Isaiah 7:14). Gabriel’s announcement to Mary identifies four specific
prophesies from Isaiah. Identify these prophecies by comparing Luke 1:26-38
with the following Scriptures from Isaiah.
Isaiah 7:14--
Isaiah 9:7--
Isaiah 14:1--
Isaiah 9:6--
Much of what we know about the first Christmas comes
from the announcing of the first Advent (adventus,
Latin meaning arrival). What does Isaiah 52:6-10 and Romans 10:15 reveal
about the necessity of announcing good news for it to truly be good news?
Application
Romans 10:14 asks, “But how can they call on Him
they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him?
And how can they hear without a preacher?” (HCSB) With whom do you sense the
Holy Spirit leading you to announce Good News this Christmas?
Memorize This
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and
the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of
his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and
over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of
the Lord of hosts will do this. ESV
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
FREE Movie Night Showing of Silver Bells, December 13th at 7 P.M.
From the producers of God's Not Dead, an overly win-driven sportscaster (Bruce Boxleitner) goes too far and must perform community service during December as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army. At first he finds this humiliating, and in his self-pity determines to be the world’s worst bell ringer, but as he encounters the people behind the kettle, his life and especially his relationship with his son (Kenton Duty) is changed by something as simple as ringing a bell. Also starring Antonio Fargas as Major Melvin Lowell.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Deeper, Part 10 (1 John 4:17-18) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
In 1 John 4:18 the apostle John writes, “There is no
fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves
punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love” (HCSB).
Later in a vision from God recorded in Revelation John declares, “Who shall not
fear you, O Lord, and glorify Your name?” (Revelation 15:4, KJV). Many Scriptures in both the Old and New
Testaments command us to fear the Lord, for example, “The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of knowledge and “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Honor the king” (Proverbs 1:7 and 1
Peter 2:17).
How ought a Christian to reconcile John’s assertion,
“There is no fear in love…” with numerous other commands to fear God? The
answer lies in understanding there is a healthy and unhealthy fear of God. It
is unhealthy for a Christian to fear punishment for sin because Jesus as our
propitiation has taken that punishment therefore there is “now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). Growing in our understanding
of God’s holiness, greatness and goodness are all motives for healthy fear of
God.
What do the following Scriptures describe as
unhealthy reasons for fear?
1 John 4:17-18--
Romans 8:15--
2 Timothy 1:7--
Hebrews 2:14-18--
What motives for a healthy fear of God are revealed
in the following Scriptures?
Revelation 15:4--
Psalm 2:11; 112:1; 115:13; Proverbs 1:7; 14:27; 15:16;
and Malachi 4:2--
Deuteronomy 10:12. 17--
1 Samuel 12:24--
Colossians 3:22--
Application
What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit
leading you to cultivate a healthy fear and reject an unhealthy of God?
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Deeper, Part 9-- (1 John 4:1-11) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
In 1 John 3:23 John writes, “And he that keeps His
commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in
us, by the Spirit which He has given us.” Similarly, in 1 John 4:16 John
concludes, “And we have known and believed that love that God has to us. God is
love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.” Many Bible
scholars refer to such repetition of the same or similar statements as an inclusio. John frequently uses this
literary device to emphasize major themes. In this case it is the theme of
God’s abiding love in us.
In 1 John the apostle makes two declarative
statements about the nature of God. First, “God is light” (1 John 1:5) and
second, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, and 16). In context here “light” refers to
God’s holiness, as verse five concludes, “and in Him is no darkness at all.” What insights are gleaned from the following
Scriptures as to the necessity of affirming both God’s love and holiness?
The
love of God (Zephaniah 3:17; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Galatians
2:20; Ephesians 2:4-5; 3:17-19; 1 John 4:7-8, 9-11, and 16)--
The
holiness of God (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 5:16; 6:3; Habakkuk 1:13; John
17:11; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:5; and Revelation 4:8)--
How does the doctrine of propitiation affirm God’s love and holiness?
Romans 3:24-26--
1 John 2:2 and 4:10--
Application
In his book We
Become What We Worship, author Greg Beale observes, “What people revere,
they resemble… our worship exposes us and changes us.”[1]
This is consistent with John’s assertion, “But we know that when He shall
appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). How
might a distorted view of God, minimizing either His love or holiness, have a
negative effect on your character? How is the Holy Spirit impressing you to
deepen your knowledge of God’s character revealed in His Word?
Memorize This
1 John 4:11 We love Him, because He first loved us.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Happy Veteran's Day
On June 18th a flash mob in Fayetteville, NC paid tribute to soldiers throughout the country as our way of saying 'thank you' for the untold sacrifices soldiers make by leaving their families behind to serve. Happy Veteran's Day, Thank You to all who served!
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Deeper, Part 8 (1 John 3:16-24) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
In 1 John 3:16-24 John explains that a clear conscience
is the result of obedience toward God, “The one who keeps His commands remains
in Him, and He in him” and love for one another (1 John 3:24, HCSB). We
experience a deeper fellowship with God through a clear conscience, “if our
heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:21). A clear
conscience in turn leads to boldness in prayer, “And whatsoever we ask, we
receive of Him, because we keep His commandments” (1 John 3:23a).
God created our conscience with the innate ability
to know what is right and wrong. (Romans 2:14-15) Because of sin our conscience
is marred and far from an infallible guide. (Titus 1:15) A clear conscience
under the influence of the Holy Spirit and informed by the Word of God is a
powerful indicator of a deepening relationship with God. (1 John 2:24) What benefits of a clear conscience before
God are gleaned from the following Scriptures?
Job 27:6--
Acts 23:1 and 24:16--
Romans 9:1 and 2 Timothy 1:3--
What insights about keeping a clear conscience with
one another do you observe from the following Scriptures?
Genesis 20:5-6--
1 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 1:12; and 4:2--
1 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:5 and 3:9--
Hebrews 13:18 and 1 Peter 3:16--
Application
What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit
leading you to love others in deed and truth? (1 John 3:18)
Memorize This
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid
down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and
sisters NIV
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Deeper, Part 7 (1 John 3:1-10) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
1 John 3:1 reveals the greatest motivation a
Christian has for pursuing holy living, the love of God, “How great is the love
the Father has lavished on us…!” The KJV translates this verse more literally, “Behold,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.” The word “behold” is
from the Greek word haraō meaning “to stare at.’ Our
motivation for a deeper walk with God is brought about as we behold or “stare
at” God’s lavish love toward us adopting us as His children.
What do the following Scriptures reveal about the characteristics
or “manner” of God’s love for us?
Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 103:17; and 136:1-26--
Deuteronomy 7:9, 12; 5:10; and Psalm 106:45--
Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 103:8; Joel 2:13; Ephesians
3:18; 1 John 3:1; and 4:2--
Psalm 33:5; 37:28; 99:4 and Isaiah 61:8--
John 16:27; 17:23; and Revelation 1:5-6--
Application
1 John 4:19 John declares, “We love because He first
loved us.” What additional insights do you glean about the transforming power
of God’s love from the following Scriptures? How do you sense the Holy Spirit
prompting you to respond?
Deuteronomy 6:5; 30:6; Ephesians 5:1; Colossians
3:12-14 and 1 John 4:16-19--
Matthew 5:44-45; Hosea 3:1; 1 John 2:15; 4:7-8; and
11-12--
Memorize This
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus
Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our
brothers and sisters. NIV
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Deeper, Part 6 (1 John 2:15-17) Questions for Reflection
Some loves are open ended, for example parents love
for their children. Other love is exclusive, for example one cannot “love” the Baltimore
Ravens and Pittsburg Steelers J.
Jesus explained that you cannot love light and darkness, “Light has come into
the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were
evil” (John 3:19). John declared to his readers they must choose one; either
love the world or the Father, but you cannot love both, “Do not love the world
or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not
in them” (1 John 3:15).
1 John 2:16 describes three “three particulars” of
love of the world that stand in opposition to love for God; ‘lust of the flesh”,
“lust of the eyes”, and “the pride of life”. The Holeman Christian Study Bible
notes define these three particulars respectively, “what the body desires, what
the eyes itch to see, and what people work hard to acquire.” What additional
insights do the following Scriptures provide about each?
Lust of the flesh (“what the body desires”)--
Genesis 3:6--
Galatians 5:17, 20-21--
Colossians 3:5--
Lust of the eyes (“What they eyes itch to see”)--
Proverbs 6:25--
Matthew 5:28--
The pride of life (“what people work hard to acquire”)--
Genesis 4:7--
Luke 12:15--
Jeremiah 9:23--
Application
Read John 6:35-40. What is the “will of God”? How would
remaining or abiding in this deepen your love for God?
Memorize This
1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has
lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what
we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. NIV
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Men's Game Changer Weekend at Sandy Cove
Glad to be ALL IN with these men! pic.twitter.com/MGyUJeZsUT
— Mike Miller (@emikemiller) October 17, 20141 Samuel 16- Samuel "saw" & God "saw" difference? Ability to preceive. @rodhairston #gamechangerweekend
— Mike Miller (@emikemiller) October 18, 20141 Sam 16- David was not so concerned about getting it all right, he was concerned about BEING right. @rodhairston #gamechangerweekend
— Mike Miller (@emikemiller) October 18, 2014Sunday, October 19, 2014
Deeper, Part 5 (1 John 2:15-17) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
In 1 John 2:12-14 John uses three common life-stages,
children, young men, and fathers, to demonstrate spiritual growth from new
convert to maturity. Of the young John declares, “you have overcome the evil
one” (1 John 2:13, 14b). Here John introduces one of his favorite themes, the Christian’s
certainty of victory. Bible scholar F.F. Bruce explains, “Of the 28 occurrences
of the verb nikan (“to overcome”) in
the New Testament, 24 are in John’s writings… Thus the victory motif is
peculiarly Johannine.”[1]
What insights about the Christian’s victory through
Christ are gleaned from the following Scriptures?
John 16:33--
1 John 2:13-14; 4:4; and 4:4-5--
Revelation 3:5, 12, 21; 12:11; 15:2-3; and 21:7--
How is victory a motivation for pursuing a deeper
walk with Christ? 1 John 2:14
Application
What life-stage best represents your present
relationship with God-- child (new-convert), youth, or father? What challenges
to growth are revealed in the following Scriptures?
Children--
1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:1, 12, 28--
Youth-- Romans
12:9-11; Titus 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:5; and Hebrews 5:12
Fathers-- 2
Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:1-5;
Memorize This
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing you
these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an
advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the
propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the
whole world. HCSB
Monday, October 13, 2014
Unfailing Love
1 John 2:7 & 10, "Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning... Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble." (NIV)
Evidence for our confidence in Christ, "And hereby we do know that we know Him..." (1 John 2:3a, KJV) is our love for one another.Yesterday we used this story of Clara Gantt’s sixty-three year wait for her husband, Sgt. First Class Joseph Gantt who went MIA in the Korean War in 1950. Last December his remains were finally brought home for a military funeral with full honors. The first word used to describe agape love in 1 Corinthians 13:4 is patient. This is the kind of unconditional unfailing love we receive from God through Christ and the love we’ll have for each other when we “live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6). Read the full news report here.
This past Memorial Day Sgt. First Class Joseph Gantt was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor by President Obama. Clara was on hand and honored by the President and crowd. Read more here.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Deeper, Part 4 (1 John 2:3-11) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
Twenty-six times in the epistle of 1 John the apostle John uses the word “know”
to emphasize the Christian’s confidence or certainty of his salvation, and its
blessings. The first two occasions occur in 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that
we know
Him, if we keep His commandments” (KJV). Accompanying this statement of
confidence is a “test”-- obedience. John certainly does not have in mind
perfect obedience as he began this chapter, “But if anybody does sin, we have
an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1b). Genuine
and saving faith results in obedience. The fruit of obedience in turn is cause
for increased confidence.
Examine the following “we know” statements by
John. What do these statements reveal about the Christian’s confidence?
1 John 2:5; 2:13-14; 2:29--
1 John 3:2; 3:5; 3:14; 3:20--
1 John 4:7; 4:13--
John reminds his readers that his command is not
new “but an old one, which you have had since the beginning” (1 John 1:7). What
additional insights do the following verses from John’s gospel provided concerning
this command?
John 13:34-35--
John 15:12--
Application
In John
14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” and John 14:23, “Anyone
who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come
to them and make our home with them.” How is the Holy Spirit leading you to
deepen your relationship with God through obedience?
Memorize This
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Deeper: 1 John 1:5-2:2-- Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
In the eight verses that make up 1 John 1:5-2:2
John uses the word “sin” nine times. While our culture usually tries to
downplay sin and evil, John addresses it head on. Ultimately there are only two
ways of dealing with sin. The first is to attempt to conceal our sin by either
hiding it from others, including God or lying to ourselves, “If we claim to be
without sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8). The response urged by 1 John
is to confess our sin, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The English word confess is from the Greek word, homologeō meaning “to say the same thing as another or to
agree with another.” (Stongs, g3670) What do the following biblical examples of
confession reveal about its importance in our relationship with God?
Luke 19:8-9--
Acts 19:11-20--
Psalm 51:1-12--
Compare Job’s confession in Job 7:20-21 with Job
42:2-6. Why do you think God responded to Job in the later but not the former?
1 John 1:9 declares that God is both faithful and just in forgiving the one who confesses his sins. John explains that
God is just (or justified) in this
response because Jesus’ work as our propitiation
(atoning sacrifice- NIV) for sin (1 John 2:2). What benefits are yours because
of Christ’s propitiation?
1 John 2:1-2--
Hebrews 2:17-18; 9:11-14--
Colossians 1:21-22--
Application
The
Evangelist D. L. Moody frequently reminded his fellow Christians to “keep short
accounts with God.” He meant by this a lifestyle of confession and repentance
as soon as the Christian becomes aware of sin in his life. How are you sensing
the Holy Spirit’s lead to deepen your walk with God through confession?
Memorize This
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Have you ever felt
alone because of a shortcoming or sin? You lost
your cool and yelled in a completely undeserving manner at your spouse or
child or because of a lack of follow-thru on your part you lost your company’s most
profitable client? One way or another we all, through failure or sin experience
aloneness, or as John describes it, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8, KJV).
As Christians we
might feel alone, but the truth is that we are
not alone, “My little children, I am writing you these things so that
you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--
Jesus Christ the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1, HCSB). Jesus here is called by
John our Advocate, “called to one’s
side/aid.” At the times you feel most alone remember Jesus Christ is at your
side.
Last Sunday we used the example of 2000 Florida State
Seminoles senior punter and placekick holder and current FSU baseball coach
Keith Cottrell to illustrate what it means to have an advocate. On
October 7th of that year FSU faced their rivals the University of
Miami with the national championship on the line. At the half FSU was down 17-0 to rally to
27-24 with 5 seconds left in the game. Matt Munyon, FSU’s walk-on freshman who
earlier had missed a 23-yard kick will now attempt a 49-yard field goal to tie
the game and send it into overtime.
With the crowds and
his opponents jeering and even teammates cussing him, Keith Cottrell steps to
his side-- “I’ve been with Matt
from the beginning of this season, when everybody cussed him before he even
kicked the ball… It’s very important for me, as a senior, as a teammate, and as
a brother in Christ, to be there for him, through the good times and the bad.”[1]
Remember, you have
more than a teammate sticking by your side. You have an Advocate!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Middletown Day 2014
THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered to staff our booth at Middletown Day Saturday! We gave out hundreds of invitations to this weekend's showing of God's not Dead and enjoyed a great day celebrating our community.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Deeper: 1 John 1:1-4-- Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
The theme of 1 John 1 is fellowship with God established
by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. John declares, “The life appeared; we have
seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was
with the Father and has appeared to us” (1 John 1:2).
Jesus Christ introduced by John as “the Word of
life” “was from the beginning” (1 John 1:1). Here John begins his first epistle
(letter) similarly to his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus Christ is eternally the
Son of God. When the beginning began, He “was.”
It is God the Son along with the Father and Spirit who declared in Genesis
1:27, “Let Us make man in Our own image…” The incarnation then
is the eternal Son of God becoming human, or as John writes, “The life appeared…”
In his gospel John further explains the
incarnation, “The Word become flesh and made His dwelling among us” or
literally “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). His original hearers would have
immediately identified Jesus “dwelling among us” with the tabernacle of the
Exodus. What do the following Scriptures reveal about God’s presence in the
tabernacle reveal about His desire for fellowship with His people?
Exodus 25:8; 29:45-46; 40:34-36; Leviticus 26:11;
and Deuteronomy 12:11--
According to the following Scriptures, why was
Christ’s incarnation necessary for fellowship with God?
Ephesians 2:18-19; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians
5:18-19; Colossians 1:20-22; and Hebrews 10:19-22--
While John’s emphasis in his epistle is fellowship
with God, he does express his desire for fellowship with one another, “so that
you also may have fellowship with us” (1John 1:3). What insights about the
connectedness of fellowship with God and one another do you glean from the
following Scriptures?
1 John 1:3; Matthew 18:20; Mark 9:37; John 17:21;
and 2 Corinthians 13:11--
Application
How will you
pursue deeper fellowship with God this week?
Memorize This
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. HCSB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)