Live with Abandon live at NMBC

Check out the lyrics for Newsboys single, “Live With Abandon” here.

National Day of Prayer, Thursday May 1st

Engage in prayer for our nation, equip and encourage yourself and others to take the challenge to Pray for America, and encounter the power of God through prayer!” Join Pastor David DeForest of the Reformed Church of Tinton Falls at the Red Bank Train Station on May 1st from 7:00 to 8:00 AM.  

Check here for other area prayer events.

Gospel-Risks (1 Samuel 17:1-50) Questions for Reflection and Discussion

David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse and a youth when he battled the Philistine Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:12,14, 23, & 33) His primary responsibility at the time was to shepherd his father’s sheep but occasionally made the 15 mile journey to the battlefield to bring food to his brothers who were defending Judah from Philistine attacks. (1 Samuel 17:15-17) While at the battlefield David overheard the taunt of Goliath, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (1 Samuel 17:10). Rather than respond in fear David boldly declared, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:26).

Read 1 Samuel 17:24-50. What is the relationship between David’s boldness and his willingness for risk?

What do the following Scriptures reveal about the relationship between risk and boldness?

Numbers 33:3--

Psalm 138:3--

Proverbs 28:1--

Mark 15:43--

2 Corinthians 3:12--

2 Timothy 1:7--

Application

Read The Parable of the Talents in Luke 19:11-26. The Message paraphrases Jesus’ summary of this parable, “‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.’” Luke 19:26. How does Jesus’ call to stewardship influence your view of risk-taking? 

Memorize This

2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. NIV

Story Behind the Song, 'We Believe'-- Newsboys @ NMBC April 27th!

Get ready to experience the Newsboys in an intimate venue, up close and personal with special guests Rapture Ruckus and 7eventh Time Down Sunday night, April 27th at New Monmouth Baptist Church in Middletown. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Journey with Christ to the Cross thru the Resurrection, Part 4: Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

Following Jesus’ crucifixion His body was taken by two disciples (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus) to a nearby tomb where Jesus was buried (John 19:38-40). After a large stone was rolled against the doorway of the tomb, two women remained, “And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.” (Matthew 27:61, NKJV) Sunday sometime around 5:00 a.m., as it was “still dark” (John 20:1), Mary Magdalene along with several other women made their way to the tomb only to discover the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. (Matthew 28:1, John 20:1-2)

Mary Magdalene was the last person to leave the tomb the night of Jesus’ crucifixion and first person to encounter Jesus after His resurrection. (John 20:16-18) What insights do the following Scriptures provide as to the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene? Why is it significant that He appeared to her first?

Luke 8:1-3--

Matthew 27:56-61; 28:1--

Mark 15:40-47; 16:1-19--

Luke 24:10--

John 19:25; 20:1-18--

Over the next forty days Jesus appeared to hundreds of His disciples offering “many convincing proofs” of His resurrection. (Acts 1:3) How did these eyewitness accounts form the foundation for the Christian message?

Acts 1:1-11--

1 Corinthians 15:1-11--

Application

Read Luke 7:36-50. Some Bible teachers believe the unnamed “sinful woman” in this passage is Mary Magdalene. Regardless of the identity of the “sinful woman” in this passage, Mary was motivated to follow Jesus out of gratitude for being “healed of evil spirits and infirmities” (Luke 8:2, NKJV). From what has Jesus set you free? How is gratitude in your life a motivation for greater followership of Christ?

Journey with Christ to the Cross thru the Resurrection-- Line Drawing Video

Check out this moving line drawing video following Christ from the last supper thru His resurrection.

Journey with Christ to the Cross thru the Resurrection pt. 2 Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

Last Sunday we followed Christ’s journey from Bethany to Jerusalem to the Upper Room where Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples. Following the Passover meal Jesus begins teaching the disciples in order to prepare them of the trials that lie ahead. This teaching is known as the “Upper Room Discourse” (John 14-16) because Jesus began teaching while they were still in the Upper Room and continued as they journeyed to the Garden of Gethsemane east of Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30 & Luke 22:39).

Read John 14:1-31. How does an increased awareness of the context surrounding this teaching add to your understanding and appreciation of Jesus’ message to His disciples?

 Read Luke’s account of Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22:39-46. Compare Luke’s observations with the portion of Jesus’ prayer as recorded in John 17:1-26. For whom and what does Jesus pray?

John 17:1-2, 5--

John 17:9, 13--

John 17:19--

John 17:20-21--

In Luke’s account of Peter’s denial of Christ he observed that following Peter’s third denial and the crow of the rooster, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” (Luke 22:61) Why is this significant?

After examining Jesus, Pilate concluded, “I find no basis for a charge against him” (John 18:38, NIV). How was Pilate’s declaration unwittingly a testimony to the Gospel? See 1 Peter 3:18.

Application

The Christian life is not difficult, it’s impossible. It can only be lived as the Christian lives dependently on the Holy Spirit. In the garden after finding the disciples asleep Jesus warned, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). How specifically is the Holy Spirit leading you to live dependently on Him?

Memorize This

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life; that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. NIV

Harmony of the Gospels: Journey with Christ to the Cross thru the Resurrection

In preparation of Easter our conversations for the next several Sundays focus on the journey of Christ to the cross through His resurrection. To establish the precise order of events leading up to the Cross I'm using the Harmony of the Gospels developed by John Broadus and A. T. Robertson (see below). 

Jesus Anointed Again At Bethany 

Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9

Judas Plots to Betray Jesus 

Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; and Luke 22:3-6

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

John 13:1-17

Passover in the Upper Room 

Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25 Luke 22:7-23; John 13:18-30; and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Jesus’ Farewell Discourse in the Upper Room

John 14:1-31

Jesus’ Farewell Discourse on the Way to Gethsemane 

John 15-16

Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42’ Luke 22:39-46; and John 17:1-26

Jesus Betrayed by Judas and Arrested

Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; and John 18:1-11

Jesus Before Annas at the Home of the High Priest Caiaphas

Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:63-71 and John 18:12-14, 19-24

Peter Denies Christ Three Times

Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; and John 18:15-18, 25-27

Jesus Before Pilate the First Time

Matthew 27:1-2,11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-6; and John 18:28-38

Jesus Before Herod Antipas

Luke 23:7-12

Jesus Before Pilate the Second Time and Sentenced To Be Crucified 

Matthew 27:15-31; Mark 15:6-20; Luke 23:13-25; and John 18:39-19:16

The Crucifixion of Christ

Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; and John 19:17-37

The Burial of Christ 

Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; and John 19:38-42

The Resurrection of Christ 

Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; and John 20:1-18

Holman Christian Standard Bible Harmony of the Gospels By Steven Cox & Kendell Easley / B&H Books Holman CSB Harmony of the Gospels is a standard, four-column synchronized reading of the Gospels based on the work of John A. Broadus and A.T. Robertson. In addition to the harmony itself, articles are included to address issues that arise when one compares the four Gospels and seeks to give a harmonized account of the life and teachings of Jesus. Designed for pastors, lay Bible teachers, professors, and students, this edition also features eight four-color maps that illuminate Christ's life and ministry plus the full text of the four Gospels from the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation.

Journey with Christ to the Cross thru the Resurrection, part 1 (Questions for Reflection and Discussion)

Dig Deeper

For the next three weeks we’ll journey with Christ to the cross through the resurrection. While Jesus’ public ministry spans over three years more than a quarter of all that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote was devoted to this one week.  This week in Jesus’ public ministry is referred to as His “Passion Week” as everything else Jesus did and culminated in the cross and resurrection. Jesus literally was born in order to give up His life, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."(Mark 10:45, NIV)

The evening before the start of Passion Week Jesus and His disciples had dinner at the home of Simon in Bethany (Matthew 26:6). While at the table Mary, Lazarus and Martha’s sister, took expense perfume and “poured it on Jesus feet and wiped His feet with her hair.” (John 12:3) What do the following Scriptures reveal about the significance of Mary’s actions?

Matthew 26:12--

Mark 14:22 & Luke 22:19--

Luke 23:55-56--

The disciples, especially Judas Iscariot, became indignant at Mary’s action accusing her of waste (Matthew 26:8 & John 12:4-5). What clues do the following Scriptures offer as to Judas’ reaction and motive for his subsequent betrayal of Jesus?

Matthew 26:12-16--

John 12:6--

Luke 7:47--

Application

At the Last Supper Jesus took the cup and said, ““This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 2:20) Read Hebrews 7:22-8:13. Why the new covenant superior to the old? How will you respond to the promise of this new covenant, “I will be their God, and they will be My people.”?

Memorize This

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. NKJV