One of the revival thoughts from last year was quotes by D.L. Moody. This week I'm going to provide some quotes by Jonathan Edwards, the man many consider the father of this countries first great awakening.
"Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility. "
“Men will trust in God no further than they know Him; and they cannot be in the exercise of faith in Him one ace further than they have a sight of His fulness and faithfulness in exercise.”
"Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will."
Jonathan Edwards.
Always remember that revival starts within you and at home with the family. It is then carried upon our prayers and Godly desires to the church.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
5th Week January 2012 Adult Sunday School Lesson
We are now going to cover 1st and 2nd Timothy in the Adult Sunday School Class. Paul gives what is probably the best and most comprehensive advice to the Church about how pastors, deacons, and even families should conduct themselves. Timothy appears to be a young man full of the Holy Ghost given great authority over the flocks in his field.
We also have what is almost Paul's last will and testament in 2nd Timothy. I hope we all enjoy reading and covering the many wonderful things found in these two letters.
1 Timothy chapter 1
Paul says that he is an apostle by commandment of Jesus Christ. Just as there is no salvation with first a calling or knocking of the heart, there is also no preaching without a calling or 'commandment' from Jesus Christ. We cannot wake up one day and decide we are going to preach for God. There was first be an invitation from Jesus Christ. The apostle never misses a chance to state that it is only through Christ we have a hope eternal of everlasting life in Heaven.
From the very beginning we understand the great and deep love Paul has for Timothy, calling him his 'son' in the faith. We later understand because of the seriousness of the 2nd letter to Timothy, that Paul not only enjoyed the company of Timothy, and respected his labor for the Lord, but he was also a teacher and mentor to him as well as a friend in Christ.
The young church at Ephesus needed to be started and led in the right direction. Where are any of us without a strong foundation? Fables, stories, genealogies, all of these things seemed to bewitch some at the church of Ephesus so the instruction is clear for Timothy to avoid these things and to have others avoid them as well. To talk about such things causes new problems, and doesn't provide any answers but endless discussion with no purpose.
'Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned' Here is the instruction for a church built on a solid foundation. Not 'vain jangling'.
As he continues, we see that Paul says something that is commonly heard today, that is that laws for those that won't govern themselves. Laws are not made for the person, or family that does the morally right actions everyday. Laws are to judge those that are wicked and sin. So if some in the church at Ephesus want to be scholars of the law, they must them be judged by the law and not by the Gospel of Christ.
Notice that Paul gives the glory to God for making him an apostle to the Gentiles even though he worked against God through his ignorance. Despite all of this God had mercy and made him 'chiefest' of the apostles.
He clearly states the purpose that Christ came to earth, the mercy that was involved, and the glory and power and only Light of Heaven that is Jesus.
As the chapter ends, Timothy is encouraged to do all that he can to 'war a good warfare' for the cause of Christ. Some in the world point to this to show the failure and violence of religion, but we know that is a spiritual war we fight.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We also have what is almost Paul's last will and testament in 2nd Timothy. I hope we all enjoy reading and covering the many wonderful things found in these two letters.
1 Timothy chapter 1
Paul says that he is an apostle by commandment of Jesus Christ. Just as there is no salvation with first a calling or knocking of the heart, there is also no preaching without a calling or 'commandment' from Jesus Christ. We cannot wake up one day and decide we are going to preach for God. There was first be an invitation from Jesus Christ. The apostle never misses a chance to state that it is only through Christ we have a hope eternal of everlasting life in Heaven.
From the very beginning we understand the great and deep love Paul has for Timothy, calling him his 'son' in the faith. We later understand because of the seriousness of the 2nd letter to Timothy, that Paul not only enjoyed the company of Timothy, and respected his labor for the Lord, but he was also a teacher and mentor to him as well as a friend in Christ.
The young church at Ephesus needed to be started and led in the right direction. Where are any of us without a strong foundation? Fables, stories, genealogies, all of these things seemed to bewitch some at the church of Ephesus so the instruction is clear for Timothy to avoid these things and to have others avoid them as well. To talk about such things causes new problems, and doesn't provide any answers but endless discussion with no purpose.
'Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned' Here is the instruction for a church built on a solid foundation. Not 'vain jangling'.
As he continues, we see that Paul says something that is commonly heard today, that is that laws for those that won't govern themselves. Laws are not made for the person, or family that does the morally right actions everyday. Laws are to judge those that are wicked and sin. So if some in the church at Ephesus want to be scholars of the law, they must them be judged by the law and not by the Gospel of Christ.
Notice that Paul gives the glory to God for making him an apostle to the Gentiles even though he worked against God through his ignorance. Despite all of this God had mercy and made him 'chiefest' of the apostles.
He clearly states the purpose that Christ came to earth, the mercy that was involved, and the glory and power and only Light of Heaven that is Jesus.
As the chapter ends, Timothy is encouraged to do all that he can to 'war a good warfare' for the cause of Christ. Some in the world point to this to show the failure and violence of religion, but we know that is a spiritual war we fight.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Friday, January 27, 2012
How would we react in true adversity?
I asked myself this question recently. My previous thought on this topic again brought me to what I'll write below.
How would we react in a time of true adversity? Tragedy that might take lives or change people forever? To put God first place is to rely on him, move forward, whether it makes sense or hurts at the time. I'm not talking about blind obedience. God gives light and his word lights the way (John 1:4). he will not lead us over a cliff.
I guess it comes down to, do we really believe? Is our belief enough to carry us through to the end?
Monday I wrote in my journal what is above, and thought about it. Later in the week I wrote what is below.
I think I know the answer to the question above. In true adversity you will act however you have acted in your heart up until that point or moment in your life. What is on the inside will show through. We cannot hide what we have been festering or nurturing in our hearts.
Luke 8:17
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
We are not defined by tragedies, events or circumstances, we are defined by how we react in those situations. Whatever is our course before an event, truly what was in hearts before any change, will usually and finally be our course after the event.
How would we react in a time of true adversity? Tragedy that might take lives or change people forever? To put God first place is to rely on him, move forward, whether it makes sense or hurts at the time. I'm not talking about blind obedience. God gives light and his word lights the way (John 1:4). he will not lead us over a cliff.
I guess it comes down to, do we really believe? Is our belief enough to carry us through to the end?
Monday I wrote in my journal what is above, and thought about it. Later in the week I wrote what is below.
I think I know the answer to the question above. In true adversity you will act however you have acted in your heart up until that point or moment in your life. What is on the inside will show through. We cannot hide what we have been festering or nurturing in our hearts.
Luke 8:17
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
We are not defined by tragedies, events or circumstances, we are defined by how we react in those situations. Whatever is our course before an event, truly what was in hearts before any change, will usually and finally be our course after the event.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
4th Week January 2012 Adult Sunday School Lesson
2 Corinthians 13
As Paul finishes his letter to the Corinthians we see his love and care for them. His heart seems to be on them all the time and he wants what is best for them.
He continues in the 3rd and 4th verses with one of the themes of his letter to them. That it is only through our weakness that God shows himself strong. He uses the example of the crucifixion itself to show that through Christ's weakest hour, he made a way to deliver the world from sin.
Self examination, not self-doubt, is good for the Christian to do. Seek God and make sure that no fault lies within us. The progress of the church can be hindered if we deny the sin that may be in our hearts. Some in the church of Corinth were not examining their selves but only looking at the faults of others, including finding fault with Paul.
Paul writes that he wants them to correct all error for themselves and the cause of Christ, but he will point out their sins if they have not cleaned it up by the time he arrives. These are strong words, but Paul says them out of love and not vengeance.
In his final Salutation he exhorts them to be of good comfort but more importantly that they have unity among themselves. How does the church stand if it is not unified?
As Paul finishes his letter to the Corinthians we see his love and care for them. His heart seems to be on them all the time and he wants what is best for them.
He continues in the 3rd and 4th verses with one of the themes of his letter to them. That it is only through our weakness that God shows himself strong. He uses the example of the crucifixion itself to show that through Christ's weakest hour, he made a way to deliver the world from sin.
Self examination, not self-doubt, is good for the Christian to do. Seek God and make sure that no fault lies within us. The progress of the church can be hindered if we deny the sin that may be in our hearts. Some in the church of Corinth were not examining their selves but only looking at the faults of others, including finding fault with Paul.
Paul writes that he wants them to correct all error for themselves and the cause of Christ, but he will point out their sins if they have not cleaned it up by the time he arrives. These are strong words, but Paul says them out of love and not vengeance.
In his final Salutation he exhorts them to be of good comfort but more importantly that they have unity among themselves. How does the church stand if it is not unified?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Keeping the mind on Revival
Keeping the mind fresh and on revival isn't always easy. Struggling to pray and find time for God's Word. There are so many things we can occupy our minds with that I seem all too eager to let myself be distracted by them.
There is a habit that we must train ourselves to do. We must be disciplined enough to do something long enough until it becomes habit or second nature. We don't want our prayers to be mindless repeating, but prayer time, Bible time, study time, should be a habit.
Taking ourselves to the place of prayer, taking ourselves to a place and picking up God's Word, that should be the habit.
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
There is a habit that we must train ourselves to do. We must be disciplined enough to do something long enough until it becomes habit or second nature. We don't want our prayers to be mindless repeating, but prayer time, Bible time, study time, should be a habit.
Taking ourselves to the place of prayer, taking ourselves to a place and picking up God's Word, that should be the habit.
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
3rd Week January 2012 Adult Sunday School Lesson
2nd Corinthians Chapter 12
In verses 1-6 Paul speaks of a 'man in Christ'. He does not remember whether he was in an awakened state or whether this was in a vision. He saw this man and saw and experienced things that evidently occurred in heaven, but were not lawful for him to repeat. There is a good chance he couldn't repeat what he saw because even an educated man like Paul didn't have the vocabulary to describe it.
We have in verses 7-9 what seems to be the point of the above story. Paul might have gloried in himself, thinking he was better than most, because of what God allowed him to see. He had though this infirmity, that we can only guess as to what it was other than it was physical, that even though he sought God out to remove it from him, he finds out that God's grace is sufficient. From this lesson Paul realizes that we are to glory in God.
The other lesson Paul learns from this is that through our weakness God shows himself. It is only when we realize that through Christ and Christ alone will we have victory, that we can finally have success through him. Our strengths are less than God's weakness. So, God decides to show himself though our weakness so that the world might see HIS power.
Paul then continues through arguing the opposite view that he did everything in his power to set up, lift up, and exhort the Corinthian church to go for God on the right track.
To finish the chapter he warns them to guard against sin so that he might find them in the best of condition in terms of their relationship to God.
In verses 1-6 Paul speaks of a 'man in Christ'. He does not remember whether he was in an awakened state or whether this was in a vision. He saw this man and saw and experienced things that evidently occurred in heaven, but were not lawful for him to repeat. There is a good chance he couldn't repeat what he saw because even an educated man like Paul didn't have the vocabulary to describe it.
We have in verses 7-9 what seems to be the point of the above story. Paul might have gloried in himself, thinking he was better than most, because of what God allowed him to see. He had though this infirmity, that we can only guess as to what it was other than it was physical, that even though he sought God out to remove it from him, he finds out that God's grace is sufficient. From this lesson Paul realizes that we are to glory in God.
The other lesson Paul learns from this is that through our weakness God shows himself. It is only when we realize that through Christ and Christ alone will we have victory, that we can finally have success through him. Our strengths are less than God's weakness. So, God decides to show himself though our weakness so that the world might see HIS power.
Paul then continues through arguing the opposite view that he did everything in his power to set up, lift up, and exhort the Corinthian church to go for God on the right track.
To finish the chapter he warns them to guard against sin so that he might find them in the best of condition in terms of their relationship to God.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Expectation
Luke 6:34 - 38
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
These verses were used in a recent message in our church. Whether we are loving or hating, whether we are fixing or breaking, whether we are healing or harming, it will all be 'measured' back to us. There is a common saying that 'what goes around comes around', one religion call it 'karma'. Call it what you want, but it is a truth based on what our God put in order long ago.
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
We often associate this verse in Galatians with reaping death after sowing sin, but the inverse is true as well. We will reap good gifts if we so precious seed.
Psalm 126:6
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
If life is not giving you what you want, if work is not giving you what you want, if your family, marriage, or church is not giving you what you want, try putting more into it. The ability to change what is around you starts with changing what is within you.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
These verses were used in a recent message in our church. Whether we are loving or hating, whether we are fixing or breaking, whether we are healing or harming, it will all be 'measured' back to us. There is a common saying that 'what goes around comes around', one religion call it 'karma'. Call it what you want, but it is a truth based on what our God put in order long ago.
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
We often associate this verse in Galatians with reaping death after sowing sin, but the inverse is true as well. We will reap good gifts if we so precious seed.
Psalm 126:6
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
If life is not giving you what you want, if work is not giving you what you want, if your family, marriage, or church is not giving you what you want, try putting more into it. The ability to change what is around you starts with changing what is within you.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
2nd Week January 2012 Adult Sunday School Lesson
2nd Corinthians Chapter 11
In the first verse Paul talks about 'my folly'. He had to give his side of the story including his accomplishments and God given mission to do what he was doing. The reason he had to give the particulars of his Spirit given authority, was because of the detractors in the Corinthians Church. He never names them, but because of what he says in the 22nd verse it seems that they were his own countrymen.
Paul loved the Corinthian church and wanted what was best for them. He tells of this love in the 2nd verse and goes on to talk about his concern that they might be led astray by some other 'gospel'. He mentions in the 4th verse that they have done well to this point at staying in the narrow path of the true gospel that he himself brought.
He brought it with authority given to him by God going as far as to say he was equal with the 12 disciples and given his life and what the New Testament consists of, this is neither an exaggeration nor ego. One could make the argument that the Lord had blessed him to be greater and a far more influential disciple then the original ones.
In the next few verses he almost sarcastically asks them if he should be at fault because of the great sacrifice he made for them. He never took anything from them, and had all his needs met by his own labor or the other churches in Asia. He did not want to give anyone and occasion to condemn him or accuse him of taking from their abundance.
He warns that there are some, and will be others that come making themselves as angels of light so that they may hurt the cause of Christ. Then in the 22nd verse he boasts of his Jewish heritage to make a point that those that glory in the flesh still could not accuse him of lacking because he was the quintessential Jew by birth and upbringing. So if they were going to boast against Paul's righteousness, they couldn't do it because they were more authentic then him, because they were not.
In 24 through 27th verses Paul talks of the great things he has suffered during his mission for the spread of the Gospel. He suffered, but gloried in the Lord. He mentions many times in 1st and 2nd Corinthians, that if anyone is to glory, let him glory in the Lord.
He finishes the chapter with the story of his escape from Aretas. What would have been lost to us if the governor had succeeded in Paul's capture. God delivered is the point Paul is trying to make, and he will deliver us through our trials to life eternal.
In the first verse Paul talks about 'my folly'. He had to give his side of the story including his accomplishments and God given mission to do what he was doing. The reason he had to give the particulars of his Spirit given authority, was because of the detractors in the Corinthians Church. He never names them, but because of what he says in the 22nd verse it seems that they were his own countrymen.
Paul loved the Corinthian church and wanted what was best for them. He tells of this love in the 2nd verse and goes on to talk about his concern that they might be led astray by some other 'gospel'. He mentions in the 4th verse that they have done well to this point at staying in the narrow path of the true gospel that he himself brought.
He brought it with authority given to him by God going as far as to say he was equal with the 12 disciples and given his life and what the New Testament consists of, this is neither an exaggeration nor ego. One could make the argument that the Lord had blessed him to be greater and a far more influential disciple then the original ones.
In the next few verses he almost sarcastically asks them if he should be at fault because of the great sacrifice he made for them. He never took anything from them, and had all his needs met by his own labor or the other churches in Asia. He did not want to give anyone and occasion to condemn him or accuse him of taking from their abundance.
He warns that there are some, and will be others that come making themselves as angels of light so that they may hurt the cause of Christ. Then in the 22nd verse he boasts of his Jewish heritage to make a point that those that glory in the flesh still could not accuse him of lacking because he was the quintessential Jew by birth and upbringing. So if they were going to boast against Paul's righteousness, they couldn't do it because they were more authentic then him, because they were not.
In 24 through 27th verses Paul talks of the great things he has suffered during his mission for the spread of the Gospel. He suffered, but gloried in the Lord. He mentions many times in 1st and 2nd Corinthians, that if anyone is to glory, let him glory in the Lord.
He finishes the chapter with the story of his escape from Aretas. What would have been lost to us if the governor had succeeded in Paul's capture. God delivered is the point Paul is trying to make, and he will deliver us through our trials to life eternal.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Revival Topics in 2011 Part V
I believe we're coming to the end of the revival topis from last year. This was the first thought that was brought out in class if I'm not mistaken. In 1999 the beautiful new edition to our Church was finished and dedicated. We know have a much larger capacity in terms of the number of people we can hold for service and the number of classrooms for Sunday School.
The question I posed to the class was this.....
Did God bless us with this fine church and all these fine seats so that the pews would remain empty?
I believe in our hearts we know the answer to that. The new Church was paid for with the prayers, obedience and tithing of its members.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
The question I posed to the class was this.....
Did God bless us with this fine church and all these fine seats so that the pews would remain empty?
I believe in our hearts we know the answer to that. The new Church was paid for with the prayers, obedience and tithing of its members.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Revival Topics in 2011 Part IV
The last bible topic from 2011 was a quote by Victor Frankl.
Victor was a prisoner and holocaust survivor during World War II and spent time in Auschwitz and Dachau among other prisoner and slave camps. He was a psychologist before the war, and while in prison decided that while the circumstances and situations were beyond his control, he could in fact control his own thoughts and how he reacted to the situation. He had a saying he kept with him during and after the experience of the concentration camps. the saying was.....
"Live as if you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time."
If we were to live our Christian lives as if we were given our second chance by God, just like the prodigal son, and that the reminder of the mistakes we made in the past fresh on our mind, we might make better decisions for God.
No matter the circumstances in life, we choose how we will react in any given situation. God is wanting us to choose the higher calling.
James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
To continue on a lighter note here is a joke about little Johnny....
After church on Sunday morning, Little Johnny suddenly announced to his mother, "Mom, I've decided I'm going to be a minister when I grow up."
"That's okay with us," his mother said, "But what made you decide to be a minister?"
"Well," Little Johnny replied, "I'll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit still and listen."
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