Here is the link to a Rick Reilly article we will be using in conjunction with Matthew 25:31-46...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday Afternoon Week 6
Text: Philemon 1:8-25
This week we talked about how Paul takes on a sacrificial lifestyle for Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave who served in Philemon's household. While he was there, he sinned against Philemon. Most likely, he stole from him. Unfortunately for Onesimus, this crime was punishable by death.
So Onesimus was imprisoned in Rome, where he met Paul. Paul spent time getting to know him, while in chains, and shared with him the saving Gospel of Jesus. This letter is a passionate plea from paul to Philemon, a church leader, to welcome back his slave as a brother, and charge Paul with the payment that Onesimus still owed Philemon.
Couple things from our discussion.
1. What was Philemon's role with sharing the Gospel with Onesimus before he stole from him? We don't have a clue, but I would imagine it must be hard to hear the Gospel from someone who masters over you. We need to take a humble approach, coming along side other sin order to share the Gospel.
2. Paul does just that. As a fellow prisinor, Paul gets to spend day and night with Onesimus. During these times, as a brother and fellow inmate, Paul has the change to get to know this societal outcast. During these times, Paul is able to share a little more of the mystery of God.
3. Paul takes on Onesimus' punishment. Actually imitating the work of Christ. What a difference it makes for someone to lay down their own life for another. He was willing to take on whatever debt Onesimus owed Philemon.
4. "Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love." (vv. 8-9) Paul says I could command that you forgive, but I'm going to give you the chance to do what is right. Are we keeping forgiveness from people in our lives, or toward the people we are attempting to serve? If so, we know what we ought to do, and if that's not reason enough... we know the love of Jesus, and what he would have us do.
This week we talked about how Paul takes on a sacrificial lifestyle for Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave who served in Philemon's household. While he was there, he sinned against Philemon. Most likely, he stole from him. Unfortunately for Onesimus, this crime was punishable by death.
So Onesimus was imprisoned in Rome, where he met Paul. Paul spent time getting to know him, while in chains, and shared with him the saving Gospel of Jesus. This letter is a passionate plea from paul to Philemon, a church leader, to welcome back his slave as a brother, and charge Paul with the payment that Onesimus still owed Philemon.
Couple things from our discussion.
1. What was Philemon's role with sharing the Gospel with Onesimus before he stole from him? We don't have a clue, but I would imagine it must be hard to hear the Gospel from someone who masters over you. We need to take a humble approach, coming along side other sin order to share the Gospel.
2. Paul does just that. As a fellow prisinor, Paul gets to spend day and night with Onesimus. During these times, as a brother and fellow inmate, Paul has the change to get to know this societal outcast. During these times, Paul is able to share a little more of the mystery of God.
3. Paul takes on Onesimus' punishment. Actually imitating the work of Christ. What a difference it makes for someone to lay down their own life for another. He was willing to take on whatever debt Onesimus owed Philemon.
4. "Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love." (vv. 8-9) Paul says I could command that you forgive, but I'm going to give you the chance to do what is right. Are we keeping forgiveness from people in our lives, or toward the people we are attempting to serve? If so, we know what we ought to do, and if that's not reason enough... we know the love of Jesus, and what he would have us do.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday Afternoon Week 5
Text: Philemon 1: 1-7
What a joy it is to share the Gospel!!!
Paul writes to Philemon and says. "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
Have you ever shared the saving Gospel of Jesus with someone? When I carry out the Great Commission in Matthew 28, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you," I walk away with a feeling of comfort and joy within myself. It is almost as if I were on some sort of 'emotional high.'
Despite knowing what joy can be attained by sharing the Gospel, I am guilty of not spreading the Gospel as often as I should. There are plenty of Christians in this world who have no idea what feeling I am describing.
This week we looked at the reality, that while we are filled with joy in sharing the Gospel, there are many who have never taken advantage of this free gift. Why are we feasting at one end of the table, while others are at the other end of the table starving?
There are many reasons that we choose not to share the love of Christ with others; social awkwardness, fear of rejection, or unidentified opportunities. Whatever it is, we miss out frequently on the chance have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. No Christ follower would want to miss such opportunity, but that is exactly what we do in each of these occasions.
How do we share this love of Christ?
Jesus tells us in John 13, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."Simply stated, the world identifies us as Christ followers, based on how we treat others.
That should make sharing the Gospel a little easier!!!
What a joy it is to share the Gospel!!!
Paul writes to Philemon and says. "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
Have you ever shared the saving Gospel of Jesus with someone? When I carry out the Great Commission in Matthew 28, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you," I walk away with a feeling of comfort and joy within myself. It is almost as if I were on some sort of 'emotional high.'
Despite knowing what joy can be attained by sharing the Gospel, I am guilty of not spreading the Gospel as often as I should. There are plenty of Christians in this world who have no idea what feeling I am describing.
This week we looked at the reality, that while we are filled with joy in sharing the Gospel, there are many who have never taken advantage of this free gift. Why are we feasting at one end of the table, while others are at the other end of the table starving?
There are many reasons that we choose not to share the love of Christ with others; social awkwardness, fear of rejection, or unidentified opportunities. Whatever it is, we miss out frequently on the chance have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. No Christ follower would want to miss such opportunity, but that is exactly what we do in each of these occasions.
How do we share this love of Christ?
Jesus tells us in John 13, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."Simply stated, the world identifies us as Christ followers, based on how we treat others.
That should make sharing the Gospel a little easier!!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday Afternoon Week 4
Text: Luke 19:41, Nehemiah 1.
This week we discussed Jesus' hurt for Jerusalem. Following his triumphant entry, he went out of the city, and looking over it, he began to weep. He saw His people hurting and oblivious to the saving hope that He was providing them.
In the Nehemiah text we hear the account of what has happened to Jerusalem. Nehemiah's reaction is to simply pray and weep for days on end.
80% of people in San Diego do not have a church home, and it is our job to pray for them. While some of us have never thought about this as a problem, some of us were unaware it was such a big problem, others of us have experienced this problem first hand.
If we take a page from Christ, and from the prophet Nehemiah, our first step is to have our hearts broken by the fact that many people in this city do not have the hope that comes from a crucified and risen Christ.
When we realize that of the 2.4 million people that reside in San Diego county, 1.9 of them are not associated with a church, we have no choice but to be broken. But the question then becomes, "What can I do?"
The answer that Scripture gives s is prayer. We are called to pray for entire cities, specific streets, and even individuals.
If we saw a stranger, let alone a close friend, walking down a train track with a train approaching, what would we do? I would hope scream, yell, jump up and down, and even run toward them to chase them off the track before destruction set in. Yet, when we see family and friends on the Spiritual track to destruction, we simply avoid the situation, afraid to even share the simple message of what Jesus has done for us.
Prayer is our first step to transforming our city.
This week we discussed Jesus' hurt for Jerusalem. Following his triumphant entry, he went out of the city, and looking over it, he began to weep. He saw His people hurting and oblivious to the saving hope that He was providing them.
In the Nehemiah text we hear the account of what has happened to Jerusalem. Nehemiah's reaction is to simply pray and weep for days on end.
80% of people in San Diego do not have a church home, and it is our job to pray for them. While some of us have never thought about this as a problem, some of us were unaware it was such a big problem, others of us have experienced this problem first hand.
If we take a page from Christ, and from the prophet Nehemiah, our first step is to have our hearts broken by the fact that many people in this city do not have the hope that comes from a crucified and risen Christ.
When we realize that of the 2.4 million people that reside in San Diego county, 1.9 of them are not associated with a church, we have no choice but to be broken. But the question then becomes, "What can I do?"
The answer that Scripture gives s is prayer. We are called to pray for entire cities, specific streets, and even individuals.
If we saw a stranger, let alone a close friend, walking down a train track with a train approaching, what would we do? I would hope scream, yell, jump up and down, and even run toward them to chase them off the track before destruction set in. Yet, when we see family and friends on the Spiritual track to destruction, we simply avoid the situation, afraid to even share the simple message of what Jesus has done for us.
Prayer is our first step to transforming our city.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Wednesday Bible Study Week 3
***Bible Study Time has changed to Wednesdays at 12:00pm***
Text: Luke 12:1-12
The original thought going into this study was verses 8-9, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God." These verses were selected as a follow up to our week one discussion about how we don't like bringing up our faith unless it is really, really, really, really a safe situation.
We discussed that issue, and the importance of not being shy or afraid to share with others our reason for hope.
That conversation was important and well covered, but because this text is so rich with words from Jesus, we also moved around the text to other important passages. One particular section that had us convicted was verses 2-3, "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."
How easy is it for us to say something about someone or to someone when no one else is watching? Or think of it this way, how careful are we of what we send in emails these days, knowing that these can be printed off or sent to hundreds of people?
Jesus tells us be where of living a hypocritical life. People are watching how we live and what we say. Not only do they take note, but our Father in heaven is aware of these actions also.
Text: Luke 12:1-12
The original thought going into this study was verses 8-9, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God." These verses were selected as a follow up to our week one discussion about how we don't like bringing up our faith unless it is really, really, really, really a safe situation.
We discussed that issue, and the importance of not being shy or afraid to share with others our reason for hope.
That conversation was important and well covered, but because this text is so rich with words from Jesus, we also moved around the text to other important passages. One particular section that had us convicted was verses 2-3, "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."
How easy is it for us to say something about someone or to someone when no one else is watching? Or think of it this way, how careful are we of what we send in emails these days, knowing that these can be printed off or sent to hundreds of people?
Jesus tells us be where of living a hypocritical life. People are watching how we live and what we say. Not only do they take note, but our Father in heaven is aware of these actions also.
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